Hello from Holland

[henk]

Hi all,
I got 2 big phalaenopsis orchids. My reason for joining the forum is kind of selfish: I want to keep the plants healthy and beautiful and I hoped that you could give me some advice.
The plants are pretty big and have side branches. Now they're finished with blooming and I have to cut them back. The guy in the shop told me to cut all the way down untill the third eye from the bottom, but that sounds kind of rigorous and I'm afraid that the plant will become smaller.
As you may have noticed I'm not exactly an expert, I just liked the pretty flowers...
Anyway hello to all of you from Holland.

[Marcia_pa]

Welcome, Henk. I'm a beginner, too.

I think what the seller means is to cut the flower stalk, not the plant itself. Someone more experienced here can tell you exactly WHERE to cut the flower stalk.
Marcia

[prisana]

welcome Henk, I'm another newbie here. I've been growing phals for only 2 years, been pretty lucky so far, but I'm no expert . Like MarciaP said, the shop keeper was probable not very clear about the instruction on where to cut back the spike. You want to cut the "flower spike" only, cut it back to the node before the one the first flower bloomed on. Leave about enough space so the top of the node isn't bothered by the scissors, and make sure the scissors are sanitized.
But if you want your plant to rest, you can cut the spike all the way back near the plant itself,this way it's next spike will yield bigger and more flowers, that is, with all other essentials like fertilizer,humidity,air movement provided for . I'm sure some of the experts will guide you through.

[Aniko]

Hello Henk - welcome to the Forum. I also started with a Phal in February this year - now I have 11 different types, mostly due this forum, where nice people share their knowledge with others. And of course due to the charm of orchids...
Aniko.

[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.

[arleneg]

henk, Hi and welcome to the forum. You may have 2 orchids now, but wait in the next year or two. You will probably have 10-30 orchids, maybe more, by then.

[atcrosby]

Welcome to the forum ..

I started out with one orchid and now have 38 and about to add four more. It's an addiction but it's calming and peaceful. I would venture to say the collective wisdom of this group is incredible !

[atcrosby]

Welcome to the forum ..

I started out with one orchid and now have 38 and about to add four more. It's an addiction but it's calming and peaceful. I would venture to say the collective wisdom of this group is incredible !

[SwTLaDYy16]

Welcome to the forum!!! Follow what Cynthia said...her advice is pretty good. Anyway, hope you enjoy the forum!

[bomerman]

Hey Henk, Welcome to the forum. We all started with one or two. But to warn you it can be very addicting to see all those beautiful blooms. I would take cynthia's advice into consideration. Well good luck and keep on growing.