What to do with wilted blooms?

[losOrchid]

I have a wilted bloom on my phal and I am wonder what I should do with it. Should i cut it off or should I let it fall off by it self?

[mayres]

It will fall off shortly - just let it do so on its own.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

There is a technique to removing old blooms. You press the flower stem backwards toward the base of the plant and the stem will usually snap off without the need for a sterilized tool. I once offered a flower to a commercial grower to use for the pollen and hybridizing. He reached up and pinch the flower off at the base of the stem with his fingernails, the dirtiest object known to man. I must tell you I reacted with shock and a few unplanned words. I thereafter explained to him how to remove the flowers as above without the possibility of infecting the plant with virus. Cynthia