What should I do with these old bloom spikes?

[Brownthumb10]

Cut them off closer? Do nothing? Something else? It's a phal BTW Thanks!

[Optimist]

Ignore them. Endlessly hovering and over-mothering orchids is usually what kills them. I am a little worried about the lenth of that central core. Looks like it lost the 2 bottom leaves.

[Brownthumb10]

It did lose leaves when I 'tried' taking care of it by repotting last year. All of its original leaves are gone. It has 3 new leaves and another that is just starting. I read some stuff on the internet when I first got it (in April) and thought I knew what I was doing...clearly I didn't. I am hoping to do right by this plant from here on out. Thank you!

[dounoharm]

hi! you might want to take the old tree leaves out of the pot...that just gives insects a place to live and will ultimately break down and clog your media....also, I would repot that plant to encourage new roots on that long stem...I would put it down lower in the pot. good luck!

[james mickelso]

I would leave it alone until it is thriving. Put your mothering instincts aside and let this poor plant survive. Those old spike stumps won't hurt a thing. Mess with this now and you'll lose it.

[Brownthumb10]

Haha, point taken. I will stop mothering this plant. Thanks!

[Ray]

It needs more water, and likely, humidity.

[tucker85]

Don't worry about the bloom spikes. Your orchid should be in a much smaller pot. A large pot like that will have lots dead space for fungus and bacteria to grow and it will dry too slowly. It's easier to judge the moisture content in a small pot that dries quickly.

[NYCorchidman]

I don't think I understand.
It looks like your plant has two old and dried up dead spikes that have already been cut near the base.

You have nothing to do, unless you want to trim them off completely.

They are long dead and dry, so whatever you do with them has no effect on the plant in any ways.

Your plant does look like it need more water.

[james mickelso]

From what I can see here, this is an old stem which lost leaves. The new leaves look ok as far as I can see on my monitor. It has been through a lot and with the new larger bark the size of the pot shouldn't matter for now. Leaving it where it is and once re-established, transplanting it to a smaller pot should make this a nice plant. If left to recouperate where it is it should throw a spike in about three or four months. I'd just leave it be. Not water too much. Keep it warm.