| Looks like an old dead flower spike. go ahead and cut it off near the base, but you don't have to get really close to the plant. With age, the remaining piece will come off easily with a slight tug, but just cut it for now. If this had been a recent spike that just finished blooming, you would cut it off with a sterilized tool. But since the tissue is clearly dead where you will cut, use any tool you wish. Cynthia |