Expert: Wayne King - 9/23/2009

Question
after many months of prolific blooming, my orchid suddenly stopped blooming and all of the flowers dropped off; the leaves appear to be very healthy, though.

can i cut the flower stem off where the stem has turned brown (above this point, the stem is quite green), and will the orchid start to bloom  again?

thank you,in advance,for your time and assistance.

merri beth

Answer
Normally, the old flower spike turns brown from the tip down.  You may cut it off just above a node (ie joint) in the green flower spike. Some flower spikes just normally turn brown and die so, if you have this type, it will not rebloom from the old flower spike.  Don't forget to repot your plant in orchid potting mix as that is recommended after each flowering.