Phalaenopsis with red spike after not being watered

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Nothing wrong that I see with the plant.

The entire spike is done. You can wait until it completely dries out in about a couple weeks or so. Then you can easily cut it off without sterilizing your cutting tool.

I would also make sure the pot is not sitting in water. This cultural practice has the potential to cause root rot in the long run.

Just in case you want to know...

You can clean those hard water stains off with some vinegar and a paper towel. Or you can use lemon juice on a paper towel. Cleaning hard water stains allow the plant to absorb more light.

If you have a RO/DI unit, you can use the water from the RO/DI filter to water your Phal to prevent future hard water stains from building up on the leaves.

[Sandy4453]

Your Phal looks nice and healthy and probably, because it's potted in sphagnum is why it didn't suffer permanent damage after going this long without watering. The moss kept this plant hydrated longer than if it had been in bark mix. The spike is done and a good idea would be to cut it down all the way and prepare it for potential blooming in it's next blooming cycle.

Best of luck and happy growing to you!

[acmims13]

thanks so much for your help. I will take your suggestion and clean the leaves as well. I also noticed there are a few dead roots. Is there any proper way to cut them off or do I just cut?

[acmims13]

great to hear! I was worried it was dying after seeing the red spike since my other orchids haven't done that before.

[Undergrounder]

The roots - just cut.