Phalaenopsis - Should I cut the spike?

[lovenostalgia]

Hello all, newbie orchid addict here!

I bought a reduced phalaenopsis a couple of days ago. The reason it was reduced was because it had lost all of its blooms. The spike which is approx 24" in height and has three forks in it contains flower buds on the ends.

I was just going to allow them to open in their own time but have been reading that this can deplete the orchids energy as well as producing smaller blooms, as it has clearly done its work already this year. If it does re bloom it will probably look a bit spindly with a few flowers on the end from the previous flower drop.

The leaves are healthy, in fact there is a new one growing in the centre. The spike is also green and healthy looking so not sure if cutting it at this stage is a good idea. I am happy to cut it and allow it to have ample rest to grow a new spike and re bloom again in time.

I would post a photo but don't think I am able to yet as I am a new member, so I hope that my description is clear.

So should I sacrifice the new buds or wait and see? Does cutting a green healthy spike harm the orchid at all or am I meant to wait for it to go brown and dry up?

All advice is much appreciated

[Island Girl]

You can post pics when you have one more post (five in total). I would cut the spike, if it were me, and repot it into fresh media... If most the flowers have fallen off, I'm thinking the buds probably won't open (unless your conditions are very similar to the greenhouse it started opening its flowers in... When my humidity is high enough (70% +/-) then sometimes the buds will open for me, but usually, from home improvement stores, they get stressed, and seem to stall... especially if it was there long enough to lose all it's flowers and be reduced in price - but, that's just my opinion/experience )

Here is a good tutorial on how to repot a Phalaenopsis orchid, complete with pics! Orchid Repotting Clinic - Phalaenopsis

[RandomGemini]

I agree, cut the spike. Repot with fresh potting media. The hardware store orchids I have purchased are usually packed so tight that you could cut the moss and use it for a hockey puck. There's also usually enough moss in there for like six orchids.

[lovenostalgia]

Thank you Island Girl! I will try to post a photo now.
Off to read the link you shared.

[Island Girl]

You're very welcome! And, to the OB! Feel free to post pics! I (we all) LOVE to see pics!

[JMLand]

I would not cut the spike. From my experience it's best to let them do their thing. When the spike starts to yellow and dry up then I would cut it. The plant will pull its nutrition back from the spike when it us done. I think people tend to go chop crazy on phals.

[lovenostalgia]

I have managed to create an album on my profile page and added a photo of it in there.

I think I will cut the spike on the advice received. I will make sure that I post progress pictures over the months ahead.

Thank you for your help. It is lovely joining a forum where everyone is so helpful and encouraging to eachother.

[Island Girl]

And, as JM said, there are actually a lot of times, where I don't cut the spike off, so it's really a matter of preference... Just so I can confuse you! Lol

I will go look at ur pics now!

Edit: I assumed that you meant they were small buds.. They could still open, they are quite large.. Just leave it and see.. It really won't hurt anything But, as said, it's up to you!

[Ferns Daddy]

With the buds being as big as they are I would leave them,Island Girl is right it is a personal preference on cutting the spike off, I have cut a few that I didn't think they would bloom because they were small or dried up

[lovenostalgia]

Good morning all.
Fear not, the spike is still intact! I will leave it and allow the buds to bloom.
I am looking forward to finding out what colour the flowers will be, as I don't have a clue.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to reply. I still have so much to learn, and I can see that I'm in the correct place to do just that.