should i cut orchid spike after blooms die?

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As a general rule of thumb, if the orchid's bloom spike stays green after the bloom has fallen off, leave it there. The subsequent bloom will probably bud on the existing spike. If the spike turns brown and dies, cut it off. The subsequent bloom will come from a different nodule.

Most orchids, like the Phalaenopsis, have a single main stalk that has leaves protruding from either side. New leaves form in the middle and the stalk grows out. This is the kind that produces the re-blooming spike. A couple of varieties have pod-like growths that generate new leaves after a bloom, and the whole pod and leaves die out after it blooms. These generate a new bloom spike every time it blooms....Show more

You most likely have an Oncidium alliance or Dendrobium alliance plant. Cut the spike, they will not re-bloom. If the leaves are gowing strap-like from the top of an oval pseudobulb, it is Oncidium alliance, if it has long, fat stalks with leaves alternating up each side, it is a warm growing Dendrobium of some type. Neither of the two alliances, in general, rebloom from old spikes. Oncidiums can be grown much cooler than warm growing Dendrobiums and many need the cool winter nights to initiate spikes. This is less prevalent in many of today's hybrids. If you're growing this indoors, it may not produce new spikes as both require reasonably high indirect light to grow strong and bloom. Research both genera for more detailed general ID and growing requirements.

EDIT: There is no way the plant in that picture is a phaelanopsis. It's most likely a Dendrobium hybrid of some kind. Maybe an Ansellia africana, but I'm not convinced. While Phallies will often form a new inflourescene or keiki from the first node of the spike, it is normally a much smaller growth and normally not worth the energy the plant exerts to grow it....Show more

Your plant looks to be a Phalaenopsis, which is the most popular Orchid now grown. This is one of the few Orchids that re-sprouts new flower shoots from older stems, and so it would be disadvantageous for you if you cut the stem back after the first flush of flowers.

Typically most shoots of this Orchid do re-flower, so leave it alone until it has gone brown and died back.

Here are some other photos of Phalaenopsis, to help you determine that this is the plant that you're growing - http://podnesi.com/images/img_phalaenopsis.gif http://www.plantoasis.com/plants/1021_1040/images/1037_phalaenopsis_Big.jpg http://orchids.ws/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/phalaenopsis-orchidee.jpg

The common name for this Orchid is 'Moth Orchid' due to the similarity of the flower to insects.

Hope this helps. Good luck! Rob...Show more

The mini Orchids look to bloom non end. never on any Orchid decrease the stem until the finished component is lifeless. in the event that they do no longer die they're going to save producing. you are able to repot the Orchid if the roots look undesirable. I basically repotted mine. you are able to wait til it stops blooming yet mine does no longer end so I repotted besides.The roots weren't doing properly besides the undeniable fact that it grew to become into blooming. i grew to become into bowled over to work out what it grew to become into fairly planted in! It grew to become right into a plastic cup smaller than a shot glass. It grew to become into in some form of cloth I even have never seen in the previous. Orchids like bark, pearlite and charcoal. My mini is doing a lot greater constructive and that i did no longer loose any plant existence by employing repotting it....Show more