Cutting the Inflorescence, reblooming, cutting stem

[Douglas Scanlan]

I am getting conflicting information from serveral on-line sources I have researched, regarding the cutting of the inflorescence of my orchid after the blossoms fall. I do understand I can either cut it down low, or try to get it to rebloom by cutting it up high. However one source advised not to cut any part of the inflorescence if it is still alive. Supposedly I should first see if the end of it is dry and dead, and only cut where it is dead.
Judging from one earlier orchid I had, and one of my friend's orchids, it may not die anytime soon. The first stem I ever cut was still all green and juicy a week after the blossoms fell, and my friend's orchid rebloomed from the old stem with no cuts made anywhere (although there were only a couple blossoms from the second blooming and obviously the plant never got the rest it may have wanted.)
Why do some sources advise not to cut until the stem dies? Do any of you have good results by NOT following that advice and cutting right after the blossoms drop and the stem is still green?
I'm uncertain how to proceed but my last blossom just fell today.

[trdyl]

What type of orchid are we talking about here?

[Douglas Scanlan]

Oh sorry. Phalaenopsis

[trdyl]

Phalaenopsis will rebloom from old flower spikes. The flowers of the reblooms are not always as large and usually not as many as they are on the initial flowering.

Some people like cutting off the spikes after the first flowering to allow the plant to use all its energy for growth. Others as long as the plant is healthy will leave the spikes for additional blooming later on.

I personally like leaving the spikes as long as the plant is healthy.

[Douglas Scanlan]

Would it then be correct to say that cutting an inflorescence right after the last blossom falls (even thought it is still very much alive) poses no disadvantage or risk, as long as it is done correctly with proper sanitation. Or could it set the plant back somehow?

[slipperfreak]

Phals will often flower from an inflorescence that is not cut, but not always. I have found that forcing a rebloom is easiest if you cut the spike soon after the flowers have faded, between nodes. I usually cut the spike about halfway. About 50% of the time you'll get more buds in a month or so.

[slipperfreak]

Originally Posted by Douglas Scanlan

Would it then be correct to say that cutting an inflorescence right after the last blossom falls (even thought it is still very much alive) poses no disadvantage or risk, as long as it is done correctly with proper sanitation. Or could it set the plant back somehow?

There is no risk with reblooming a Phal that is healthy and strong. I wouldn't do it with young plants or plants with health issues (insects, diseases) or stunted growth.

[Douglas Scanlan]

My intention is to cut it down low (not try to remloom the old shoot) and to do this right away even though the shoot is still very much alive. Based on the feedback here, it sounds like that poses no drewbacks for the plant - which is healthy in every way as far as I can tell.

Thank you all for the responses

[slipperfreak]

Originally Posted by Douglas Scanlan

My intention is to cut it down low (not try to remloom the old shoot) and to do this right away even though the shoot is still very much alive. Based on the feedback here, it sounds like that poses no drewbacks for the plant - which is healthy in every way as far as I can tell.

Thank you all for the responses

Sorry, I misunderstood you... Yes, you can cut off a green spike. In fact, if you don't want it to rebloom, that's what I recommend doing, with a sanitized blade as you mentioned.

[Douglas Scanlan]

OK thanks, im not confused anymore.
(: