[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Since your orchid was probably forced to bloom out of season, and probably too recently to bloom again in the normal season, which is just about now, with a new spike, I would recommend that you don't cut the spike off completely, and go for a few more flowers on the old spike. Always cut near to the first flower position, as this is more likely to give you flowers than cutting it shorter, which may be more likely to give you a keiki, or baby plant. Don't use alcohol for sterilizing, as it does not kill virus. Use high heat, a 10% bleach soak, or a saturated solution of real trisodium phosphate soak. I prefer a 20 min or more soak.