New stem sprouted from old? Right way to do it?
 

Over the past week or so I have noticed that the bottom (alive) part of the stem sprouted a new arm. Is this good, or should I have cut it all the way down at the end of last season? I don't have a picture of it with it's flowers on, but I've given a recent picture. I got it last August. It had huge pink flowers and healthy looking green leaves. I've placed it in a south facing window in my kitchen. I water it about one a week. If anyone has any tips or any insight into this, let me know, thanks in advance for your help!

Lindsey

what are all those white things? its a good thing that that "branch" is growing, it has buds on it that will soon be flowers. :D

yes, sometimes phal spikes will branch - or grow a keiki - from a lower node

sorry, it seems i miss saw the picture what are in the stem look like leaves. which ( correct me if im wrong) will develop keikis. sorry for the mistake

Oh I wasn't saying you were wrong - I was saying it could be either a branch (that may bud), or a keiki :)

no, i didnt think you wre saying i was wrong. i just took another look at the picture and it looks like they are leaves no buds on the branched spike

oh good! :)

Welcome to OB!

As others have said it is a good thing.

white stuff...
 

When I bought the orchid, it had decorative strings of plant material covering the roots and clipped into the straight stick that holds the plant up :) I've left it because it doesn't seem to harm anything, and it doesn't bother me

Also, I think I'm still confused, so what exactly could be growing? leaves? What does that mean? like the leaves on the bottom of the plant or just an arm with leaves? What should I do to help it grow flowers?

A Keiki is a baby orchid and if it is leaves that are growing on the spike then that is what they will be. If it's more bud like then it will develop flowers.

Older spikes are more likely to produce keikis than brand new ones. Although older spikes still produce new flowers as well.