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Old 06-09-2008, 08:33 PM
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Great job with your first orchid!

I think the spike cutting thing is a personal preference. There are several schools of thought and no one is better than the other. Do what you feel is right.

1) Cut back to the last node -- encourages reblooming but takes a lot of energy for the plant to do that.
2) Cut off the entire spike -- encourages the plant to focus on its foliage and/or creating a new spike
3) Leave it alone -- let nature take its course

I personally like #3 If the spike is still alive, let it do its thing. If its brown, then cut it off.
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