Well, John, all I can say is that you are far more careful than I am.
It never fails that I knock the old spike as I'm watering or moving the
plant, which jars it, eventually, out of the pot. Yes, you can get
additional flowers sometimes. But I have noticed that if I leave the
old spike on, my plants are more likely to flower off the old spike than
to create a new one. Just something I have noticed in my own
collection. I say lucky you since you don't seem to share my experiences!

~Denise

John wrote:

> Everyone does things differently! LOL....I always leave the old spike
> on (until it turns brown and dries out) and many times get 'summer'
> flowers on them. There usually aren't as many or as large blooms, but
> I like them anyway.
>
> I also often find that the plants usually send up new spikes with
> flowers and keep on blooming on the old ones. Maybe I'd get more or
> bigger flowers if I'd cut the spike compleatly off, I don't know.
>
> John
>
> --- In Phalaenopsis-orchids@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:Phalaenopsis-orchids%40yahoogroups.com>, Joy Ann Parker <joy@...>
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I was told, a couple of years ago, that when the blooming stops, I
> > should cut the spike back to about 1". This was advice from a grower
> > from whom I purchased a couple of phals.
> >
> > This has worked fine for me, but I am wondering if I would do even
> > better *g* if I left the spike without cutting it back.
> >
> > What is recommended here?
> >
> > Thank you,
> >
> > Joy
>
>