Where do I cut the spike on my Phalaenopsis???

[k-dub]

This is my first orchid (a regular, no bells or whistles Phalaenopsis). I got it in bloom in November, and the last bloom fell off today.

In recent weeks I realized that another stem of buds was growing. I am completely new to orchid care, but I think you would say that the new stem is growing out of the "node" below where the first flower was. (I hope that makes sense.) So now the top of my orchid looks like a "V", where one side is where the old flowers were, and the other side is new buds.

My question is: do I cut off the stem where the old flowers used to be? If so, where on the stem?

Thanks in advance for your advice! I really appreciate the help.

[Baz in Oz]

K-dub,
The experts tell me that if you cut the old flower spike off above the 1st node, a new flower spike will emerge. This has worked for me.
I have also been told that the same will apply with the 2nd node. This hasn't worked for me.
Good luck!

Baz in Oz

[l.ania]

I don't cut spikes I leave it as it is, until in gets brown. And sometimes I get some additional flowers...
But cutting is nothing bad I don't do it because I'm not sure where...

[Hedge]

Hi there,

I would leave it to go brown in this case as the node below is already flowering and you don't want to accidentally injure it by cutting back too close - the top part will either go brown or reflower at the tip, so it's worth the wait. Obviously you are providing good conditions, so well done

Happy growing

Heather

[RosieC]

I would probably go the other way to most people who have replied. I would cut the spike about 1cm above the new spike (I don't have my cm to inches converter to hand, I think it's just under 1/2inch.)

Whether to cut a spike is always one of personal preference. The main reason to leave it is that you may get more flowers if a side spike grows or if the tip grows further. You already have that... a side spike with more flower buds... and so I would cut off above it.

But then I tend to favour cutting the spike anyway, so maybe I'm biased that way.

[caseydoll]

:iagree: with Rosie. I usually cut down my spikes too though. Plus it will look better when the side branch is blooming.