Please help! Question about flower stem trimming

[Robin the Orchid Lover]

I have a Phalaenopsis that recently lost its last flowers. I've read that I should trim the flower stem to just above the node belowe where the first flower came out. So today, I went to make the cut. I noticed two things. One, there appears to be growth off the end of the flower stem. Second, the plant is already pushing a new flower stem.

My question--should I still cut back the first stem, or let it grow to see what it does?

Here's some blurry pictures--forgive me--I will try to get better ones, but this is what I have for now!

Stem with growth on the end:



Here's the new flower stem coming up:



Here's one of the flowers from the most recent bloom:



Can anyone tell me what's best to do?

[Ross]

First of all, welcome to the board. Hope you like this place, I do!

There is no "best way". Many of us tend to remove the spent flower spike as subsequent flowers tend to be a bit smaller. Others leave the spike hoping for more blossoms. The choice is yours. But since there already is another spike emerging, what would be the point of leaving the old one? If this were mine, I would trim the old spike down near the leaves - maybe a 1/2" above the leaves. Be careful not to damage any of the crown (where the leaves come together).

Whichever way you decide, enjoy your orchid, it sure is a nice one.

[Jkelee]

I'm sooo sorry to ask this, as I know it doesn't your your question.
But what is the Name you have on that baby of yours?? As I have a similiar looking noid.

[Robin the Orchid Lover]

Thank you for the welcome! I could get lost just wandering around in here! I found the classifieds...I could be in trouble!

I don't know the name of that orchid. It was a gift from my daughter a couple of Mother's Days ago, and I don't remember if it was labeled when she gave it to me.

The nearerst I've found is this
one.

[Jkelee]

Thanks, I thought it would be the same as my Noid in my thread here; http://www.orchidboard.com/community...oid-bloom.html

I think mine is Phal. Baldan’s Kaleidoscope , just very close in colors.

[Robin the Orchid Lover]

Originally Posted by Jkelee

Thanks, I thought it would be the same as my Noid in my thread here; http://www.orchidboard.com/community...oid-bloom.html

I think mine is Phal. Baldan’s Kaleidoscope , just very close in colors.

Yes, that does look like mine!