Discounted Phal with bloom blasting

[mook1178]

I bought a Phal today from a department store that was only $8. I believe it was discounted down due to the blooms not opening properly and dieing while still closed. Everything else, roots and crown, look to be in good condition.

My question is should I cut the stem down to try for rebloom, cut the entire stem and wait for next year's bloom, or just let the flower stem be?

[aliceinwl]

I’d evaluate the substrate and roots. If it looks like it could use repotting, now would be the time.

I think what to do with the stem is your call. Some of mine rebloom great from old stems others not so much. If the orchid is struggling it may also re-absorb nutrients etc. from the stem and it will gradually shrivel, alternatively I’ve had a struggling plant try to push bud after bud only for it to blast before opening (I cut that one at the base above the first node to force the plant to use its resources more productively). I don’t think there’s a rush to decide, maybe give it a few weeks to see what the plant’s inclination is?

[mook1178]

The roots and substrate look ok.

I'll be out if town all week. I'll take a look at it when I get back and decide then.

[tasha]

I would wait and see before cutting the spike. I didn't do anything with an orchid that i recently bought and all the flowers fell off already. On the spike and there was a small bud at the top. the spike didn't shrivel up and die. It remained green, and then miraculously, started to grow new buds! So now Im patiently waiting for these new buds to create a flower. Though I do not know if this is something that happens normally.