I'd appreciate some advice

[bozonoz]

hi.....new guy here....and new at this orchid business. in the past i'd buy them, look at them for a month and they would die, and that would be the end of it. well, a couple months ago i attended an orchid show and talked to a few people there.....they gave me some advice and i followed it. my orchids have grown (outside) for at least two months now. unfortunately, i live in new orleans and we have had constant heavy rains....i went out this morning and every flower is gone.....just the pot, leaves and the branch the flowers were on. my question is: now what? do i leave it outside? do i cut that branch off? what steps now? it won't get cold here until october/november. i would be most appreciative of any advice on my next steps and what i should do to see flowers next year.....other than buying more at the store.
thank in advance.
william
i have attached a picture of the type of orchid it is.

[bil]

Yeah, some of mine got a bit screwed by unexpected cold rains in spring. Cut off the ruined flower stalks, and look after them over the winter. Let them drop into the 10-12C zone to help new flowers next year.
Check to see if they need repotting. I do it automatically to all of mine, so I know they are OK.

Also read the sticky threads on phal abuse, etc. There is a wealth of information in them.

[estación seca]

Welcome, William!

Your photo shows a Phalaenopsis hybrid. Phals like lots of air at the roots, and in most situations, the roots need to dry out between waterings. In your drenching rains, even plants in very airy potting mixes might stay way too wet. This can lead to roots rotting, then flower loss, then losing the entire plant.

A lot of Phals sold in markets are potted in sphagnum moss. If yours is in moss, it has definitely been way too wet, and the roots might be rotten. The thread bil referred to above is designed expressly for people with store-bought Phals. You can find it here:
The Phal abuse ends here.

and a good way to check the wetness of your potting mix is here:
Using skewers to determine when to water

Good luck, and let us know how it does.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Welcome to the forum. Sorry about all your rain, the only thing I can add is I would bring it inside until the rain stops unless you can keep it dryer.

[fishmom]

Welcome! The first thing I would do, after reading "The phal abuse dies here" that is, is to pull it out of its pot and give it new medium . Then when you bring it inside, the roots will likely respond to the new and airy situation with a flush of new growth.

That's a pretty phal!

[bozonoz]

thank you all for the advice and expertise....it is most appreciated. i hope i can save the guy.
bill