2nd spike on Phal Doris and just lost flowers
 

I just repotted my phal that I bought from Woolworth, similar to your Wal-Mart.

The repotting has damaged some flowers and some of the flowers have died.

This phal is on the second bloom (there is cut on the spike and this is a regrowth on the original spike) I bought it this way.

I reppotted because it was in spag only. Luckily no rot, as I got it as they were unpacking it from the nursery.

The reason I got this one was that the bloom had 8 big flowers 12cm wide or larger each and I read here that the second bloom is usually smaller and less of it, my reasoning was since this is the second bloom, next year the first bloom should be bigger, if I get the culture right? Am I correct?

Also where should I cut the spike above the last node?I want it to build up for next year.

Ok finally a bizarre question for sure, what would happen if I left the spike but just cut of the flowers?

Sorry for the long winded questions, I am a novice with plants and just spent a fortune on 40 plus orchids lol!!!!

Okay I'll start off with the repotting, whenever you get a newly acquired orchid that's in bloom, do not repot it unless the medium is showing really bad signs of decay or disease (pests). Unless you can provide its optimal conditions, you'll most probably stress the plant into losing its blooms. Repot after the last bloom has wilted, this way you can enjoy the blooms.

If you get the culture correct, the blooms should either be bigger or remain the same. Though I won't rule out the possibility of it smaller, as when orchids bloom too frequently their flower size is normally compromised.

If you want it to bloom sooner, cut it above the last node, here's a link to the image of a node (should be in the middle) Easy Orchids - Phalaenopsis
I would recommend you just cut the whole spike off, so that your plant can build its resources and bloom better the next time.

Erm, I have no idea how to answer your bizarre question, there are many possibilities, it could produce a keiki, it could produce another spike, or the spike will just die? For me I only have the experience of another spike growing when I lost a flower, but that was with a Phalaenopsis species, not sure how yours will react to that.

Woah so many orchids when you're just a novice?! Start out slow man! You can always get more when you're better with them!

I should explain the 40 plus, :D . I truely have got the orchid bug.

Though I started by buying flowering plants, I now mainly buy "sets" of smaller Orchids.

ie 6 Dendrobiums Kingianums in different colours or 10 easy flowering oncidiums etc :biggrin: