First time orchid owner has (basic?) questions

[IronicSans]

About 6 months ago, I received an orchid as a gift (labeled "PLANT A" in the attached image). I've never had one before. It was very cool and now I finally understand the appeal of orchids! Eventually, all the flowers fell off. We kept watering it as we read we should. About a month ago, a new branch started growing, and it has nice buds that look like they'll turn into flowers soon. But the old branch looks like it's dying. So should I cut the old branch off? Where should I cut it? How?

The old branch came with a big stick supporting it. Should I move that stick over to the new branch for support?

"PLANT B" in the attached photo is an orchid we received as a more recent gift. All of its flowers have fallen off, too, and those branches appear to be dying. Should they be trimmed?

Thanks in advance!

David

[robb]

welcome to orchidgeeks, hopefully we can increase your addiction with some basic information and help

both your plants are Phalaenopsis types - there are specific cultural sheets available at the American Orchid Society site, http://www.aos.org/aos/orchids/docum...lturephals.pdf is the link for your particular plants. highly recommended to read it and make sure your plants will be well cared for.

as for trimming the flower stalks, if you cut the stalk high enough you can promote a second flower spike (though it usually lacks the vigor of the first one). personally, i prefer to cut the entire spike, as close to the plant as possible, as this will cause next seasons flower spike to be larger (hopefully!). there are definitely a range of opinions and possibilities for cutting the spikes

[pikevi]

Welcome to the forum, IronicSans.

I think you could trim the flower stalk on the first one (Plant A ) at about the height of the tip the support ( stick). Since the sub-spike (branch) is about 2" below it. As far as the second plant goes, you could trim the 'browned' parts of the 'branches' ( 3 of them), just above the end of the 'green'.

I will have to add that the general concensus is to cut the stalk off just above the second node ( joint where the flower comes out) after the bloom is spent (no more buds, flowers or any new growth). I personally don't cut the stalk off until it shows signs of drying up.

Good luck.

[fred]

welcome to the forum
can you also please update your Profile with your Location as this will help us with giving you the right advice as we have members from all over the world with different growing conditions