Flower Drop

[Marion]

Hi everyone,
I'm newbie from England. Can anyone please help? While I was on a two week holiday I left my husband in charge of my phal which had four flowers on the stem, when I got back they had all dropped and the stem had started to go brown. Is this normal or has he damaged the plant. I have cut the stem just below where it has gone brown and just above a node but I've read conflicting reports that the stem should be cut as high up as possible but also low down, about an inch, from the leaves, which is correct?
Thank you for any help you can give me and I look forward to learning from you all.
Marion

[mayres]

How long had your phal been in flower? Maybe nature had run its course and it was their time? On the average they should last about three months - of course if they are purchased in bloom we don't know how long they have actually been in bloom. Where to cut the stem is indeed a subjective activity. This time of year my own opinion is that they should be cut at the base as close to the start as possible. This time of the year I like my phals to be building up their leaf and root system for a brand new spike this late fall. Some indeed like to cut just above a node as you have noted to encourage a secondary spike. Depending upon many factors, including genetics, time of season, cultural habits, etc. you may or may not get another spike right away. Sometimes it will not spike, but will send out a secondary spike at the node the next growing season in lieu of a brand new spike (which is fine for some people, but I would prefer a new spike). Secondary spikes typically have slightly less and smaller flowers than primary spikes. Sometimes the entire spike just turns brown and then then the only alternative is to cut it completely off.
Enjoy your new phal and WELCOME!
mike