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.