Cutting the flower

[junco513]

I got a phalaenoposis last year during its bloom. After a few weeks the bloom wilted and dried up. The plant still seems to be doing well, with its leaves getting bigger. My question is, do I need to cut the yellow stem where the bloom dried up? Or do I just leave it be?

Thank you!

[E-Jag]

The old spike will probably fall off by itself but you might want to go ahead and cut it off - as close to the base as you can. That's what I do when my phals are finished blooming. I "sterilize" a knife with alcohol first. It will bloom again when it's ready, the blooms will last for a few months, will wilt, you can whack off the spike again, and so it goes.

E-Jag

[junco513]

Do I need to cut the whole spike? The bloom dried up about 8-9 months ago, and I never did anything to it. Now the spike is still pretty green (it's about 6-7 inches tall), and it's only yellow at the tip, about 1 inch. So can I just cut off the yellow part, or should I really cut it close to the base? If I do cut it at the base, about how long will it take for it to spike and have another bloom? Thanks!

[jerrymeola]

Some people leave the green stem because the plant could put out another flower or two or a baby plant called a keiki.

Others cut the stem to let the plant use its strength to grow and get ready for next season.

After 9 months I would cut it, it is unlikely you are going to get any growth on the stem.