Spikes: Where should I trim these spikes or not?

[Henry]

These spikes are strong, Sorry, I don't know what Orchid this is.

It's a rescue from my Dentist office, but the spikes don't need any support.

They seem really healthy despite still having a disgusting old root ball of sphagnum.

There are brown nodes along the spike so I don't know if they should stay or be trimmed back.

Maybe with the repotting things will change?

[Ray]

You can cut them at the base.

[Diane56Victor]

It looks like a Phaleanopsis. The next pic looks like mechanical damage. The other pic is one of older leaves dying, this is normal, just leave it and it will eventually fall off on its own.

[FranningtonBear]

As has already been said, that's a Phalaenopsis.

Some people cut spikes down to the base once they have finished blooming, personally I don't cut anything whilst it remains green. It is still part of the living plant so they can, and in my experience often do, continue growing or sprout a branch which carries more blooms!

My advice as a general rule (there are exceptions), is to put the scissors down and not to cut anything that is still green!

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by FranningtonBear

As has already been said, that's a Phalaenopsis.

Some people cut spikes down to the base once they have finished blooming, personally I don't cut anything whilst it remains green. It is still part of the living plant so they can, and in my experience often do, continue growing or sprout a branch which carries more blooms!

My advice as a general rule (there are exceptions), is to put the scissors down and not to cut anything that is still green!

Agree!

[Henry]

I'm with the cut at the base party because this is a rescue plant from my Dentist's office.
It had a gnarly old sphagnum root ball, all black and disgusting.

The roots were climbing out like they were escaping.
Anyway

Part of the philosophy is to let the plant focus on recovery, growing new roots and healthy leaves.
And that sounds good to this newbie. LOL