I've been wondering if it's beneficial for the plant if I removed the flower spike nearing its life - before it shrivels up. This is for the spikes that do not rebloom, like oncidiums and dendrobiums.
I guess it won't be making any seed or fruit, so I assume that it wouldn't make much of a difference removing it early... or would it help redirect nutrients to other parts of the plant?
I know this reply is late but I feel I should answer
Jeff,
I am always concerned about orchid viruses and therefore do all my cutting with single edge razor blades which I then discard. To save on the cost, although minimal, I let the spike brown out completely and wait even longer till it is so brittle that it can be snapped off. This doesn't always work.
Also, thank you for liking my most recent post in the Neofinetia section.