Two orchids in spike! to cut or not to cut old stems?

[Alexiamada]

I have three beautiful orchids at the moment. The oldest I have just finished blooming and I decided to cut the old spike as it had already rebloomed on that same spike and I wanted it to rest. Now my two youngsters a violet one with two spikes that I had for an year and was in bloom for practically all that time. And a yellow one that I purchased a few months ago and had already dropped its blooms. For both these orchids I had decided to skip cutting down the spike as they're very healthy specimens and I wanted to see if I could get them to bloom on their old spikes. To my surprise this Monday when I decided to give them a bath I noticed that both these orchids have bypassed my attempt and both are in spike! The violet with two old spikes is growing two individual new ones and the small yellow is growing one. Now my question is the following: should I proceed with cutting the old spikes to concentrate the energy on the new growth or just let everything the way it is to avoid putting my babies in shock! On a separate note this is only the second Time in my life to experience the blooming process and only a few months apart from the very first one. I'm scared to screw things up! My first one fad 7 blooms and three suffered from bud blast. If anyone can please help I would appreciate it. Also any info on getting bigger spikes and bigger flowers would be appreciated ;-)

Thank you all in advance.

[orchidsarefun]

never cut any spikes that are green. If the orchid was unable to grow or had some other issue, then it would not bloom - or if it did the buds would blast. The fact that they are spiking/re-spiking means that you are providing ideal conditions for them to bloom. Be happy with that. If buds subsequently blast it means that you are changing the conditions somehow - typically buds blast in a draft for example. Nature has a way of taking care of itself.

[Alexiamada]

Thank you so much orchidsarefun I had a feeling I shouldn't be tampering with them I'll just let nature take its course. They look a little scraggly but hey they'll be in bloom soon so I guess I should be happy ;D

[RosieC]

I don't think leaving them will be any problem, if the old spikes just sit there they won't take much energy and if the plant wants to grow on those old spikes again it can.

Having said that I would cut them, not for energy of the plant considerations, but for aesthetics. I don't like old 'scrappy' looking spikes hanging around, so if new ones are coming I would remove the old.

[Alexiamada]

Thank you Rosie C I will consider it.