Brand-New to Orchids - and a tragedy (fallen pot.. broken stem)! Pictures included.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

That break on the inflorescence is nothing. No harm, no foul.

Just cut the inflorescence an 1" below the breakage with a sterilized pair of cutters. Sterilized cutters prevent the transmission of diseases (fungus, bacteria, protozoan, virus).

Viral infections are the worst, they force you to absolutely destroy the plant no matter what, since there is no cure for a viral infection. Bacterial and protozoan infections are tied for being the next most difficult to handle (there are cures, but they're very difficult if you don't know what you're doing or treating for).

If you don't know how to sterilize, then a quick and easy way to do it is to twist and snap it off.

Maybe new buds will appear, maybe not. But that's not under your control.

More importantly is to check the rest of the plant for real damage.

Real damage includes root rot, crown rot, etc.

Most of the times, when you buy Phals from a store, they aren't treated the way they should be. Chances are your plant may be on the decline without you knowing it.

Like I said, the "spike" is a cinch!

It's the real cultivation of the plant, I would be more concerned about. And this is just a heads up to prevent your plant from "dying for no reason".

Without the inflorescence, and if your plant is healthy and strong, in time, you'll end up with another one. If you lose the plant, it's game over. You gotta get another plant and start over.