It will flower again from the inflorescence, just with fewer flowers then the first time.
It does take some time, maybe 2-3 weeks for it to swell and start to grow, maybe another 4-6 weeks to get it long enough to produce buds and for them to open.
I would have cut it back to a node below the branched spike.

Bill, would you clarify why you would have cut it below the branch?

I generally recommend below the branched part because sometimes the elongated branched part dies back. So much so that it gets brown down below where you are trying to produce a second set of buds.

BigBill said:It will flower again from the inflorescence, just with fewer flowers then the first time.
It does take some time, maybe 2-3 weeks for it to swell and start to grow, maybe another 4-6 weeks to get it long enough to produce buds and for them to open.
I would have cut it back to a node below the branched spike.

Is there a way for you to circle with a marker on the computer of where you are talking about with cutting the stem back? Thanks!

Also good to know that it will start to grow back. I had originally cut the dead part off, but cut it way too close to the node, so I had to cut it back to another node which is what is in the picture. Oops my bad lmao.

Ok. I've never had that happen, so far. The one I have at the moment has two branches, and one of them has a branch, all in bloom, but one of the original 2 spikes died and was cut back. I will admit that when clipping this spike to a support, I did crack it at the lower branch, but it kept on truckin.

On the main inflorescence, below the branch, I would cut it an inch above one of the nodes. There should be at least two below, maybe a third.

BigBill said:On the main inflorescence, below the branch, I would cut it an inch above one of the nodes. There should be at least two below, maybe a third.

I am terribly sorry, but what is the main florescence? Is that basically just the main stem? Also, if I were to cut back the stem any further, below the branch that is shown in the picture(that is branching off to the left), wouldn't that ultimately cut off the branch as well? Or is there a specific way of cutting the main stem to not get rid of the branch, or should I just ultimately cut the main stem down another node? So sorry if I am asking too many questions, I just don't know a whole lot about the terminology.

The main inflorescence is the main trunk of the flowering stem if you will. It arose from near the base of the plant. Then it grew up so high, however tall that was, then it made a branch and had more flowers.
Go down near the base of that inflorescence and there should be a little node or two or three. They are the little clasping like joints along the inflorescence. Find a node and with a sharp knife or cutting tool, cut an inch above that node.

Thank you so much Bill! I ended up cutting it back again. Probably three nodes up as you can see,



I circled the three nodes if it isn't visually obvious. Should I cut it back more or is what I did good enough?

Also, this part of the orchid (a part of the main stem) doesn't seem to produce anymore flowers. It used to but I haven't seen any new blooms. What should I do with it? Cut it back? Though I do not want to cut it too far back because there is a branch on the stem that currently has a blooming flower plus two other buds that have yet to bloom.

If that second one has buds, let it bloom.
As far as the original cut back that you had asked about, where you cut it back to is fine.
Never ever be apologetic for asking questions, it is my pleasure to help you and to help you work through your problem. I want you to be happy with orchids! I just love to talk Orchids!

The original stem I asked about, the one that is growing up as such, does not have any buds coming out of the nodes. Though as you can see in the second and third picture that there is a branch stemming off from the main stem with a 3 buds in total. Do I leave the main stem as it is even though it is not budding anymore, or do I cut it back but not far enough cut off the branch? If I do cut it off where would I cut it off? The part that is growing upward in the photo has about thirteen nodes. Would I cut it back all the way to the first one?

By the way, I am also planning on getting orchid specific fertilizer to help it eat and be healthy!

Orchids are not heavy feeders in general. Too much fertilizer can actually keep some orchids from blooming properly. If you have to use it, use it spareingly, maybe three times a year. Weakly as well.
If it was my Phalaenopsis, I would have it bloom just a second time only. Then I would cut the spike all the way back.
You can bloom it to death in that all its energy goes into producing more and more flowers to make you happy. It really could use the chance to stop blooming and make more roots and leaves so that it gets healthier and happier moving forward!

BigBill said:Orchids are not heavy feeders in general. Too much fertilizer can actually keep some orchids from blooming properly. If you have to use it, use it spareingly, maybe three times a year. Weakly as well.
If it was my Phalaenopsis, I would have it bloom just a second time only. Then I would cut the spike all the way back.
You can bloom it to death in that all its energy goes into producing more and more flowers to make you happy. It really could use the chance to stop blooming and make more roots and leaves so that it gets healthier and happier moving forward!

Okay, so do I just leave that bare stem then until the branch below stops blooming and looses its buds for when it goes into hibernation/rest? After that I would cut the spike all the way back, yes?

Cut the spike back when there are no more buds.
If you are growing Phalaenopsis indoors or in a warmer climate, they never really go dormant.

I always cut the spike after it is done blooming, as already mentioned below the last node. The plant needs to rest and then redirect its energies to formation of new roots and new leaves. It will be a time of patient waiting. They do rest awhile and then grow new roots and leaves. Then towards Fall if it gets the cool down it needs, it will trigger new spike formation. They are not heavy on fertilizers, so be careful later when you apply fertilizers. Too much of it will cause root/leaf burn.

Phal blooms lasts way longer than most orchids, so it made me understand why it also needs its rest time after its blooming period.

I try to occupy myself with other plants, when Phals are at rest. It will be a bit of a wait. Our growing areas vary so be patient. That is one of the things you will need a lot of when you grow orchids.

I went to my first orchid society meeting this afternoon. They had some left over plants from their booth from the flower show there. They were selling them at a knock down price of $10 each. I steered away from the Miltoniopsis since as a beginner I'd kill on of those babies in a heartbeat and looked at the Oncidium Inter-generics. Finally I broke down and purchased a Odcdm. Wild Willie 'Pacific bingo'. Yes all the flowers were in bloom, plus it has decided to literally climb out of its pot and the leaves a bit worse for wear because of all the shifting around but for the price I thought I'd give it a go.

On the drive home with the sun light hitting the leaves I noticed it had scale. Wiped the leaf whilst sitting at a light and squashed the little free-loader. I had hoped it was dead but it very much alive since it caused wet spot between my finger. So as soon as I hit my back porch it got soaked with Garden Safe Fungicide 3 (because I don't need free-loading tiny livestock in the house).

My question is can I use Bonide Systemic house plant insect control on Oncidiums? The spray get those where the spray can reach but if there is some in the pot or hiding in a cranny I cannot treat I would rather get them early on before I have them marching through all the plants in the house like Sherman's army.

With just an isolated scale or even a small colony, the easiest treatment would be 70% Isopropyl alcohol on the end of a Q-tip swab. Just apply to each insect, let sit a minute, then rinse thoroughly with plain water.
Be diligent because they can quickly return.

I think I would repot it in fresh medium, what do you think Bill? It might help to eliminate any scale that might be hiding in the bark or moss. I would carefully wash the roots and maybe give them a spritz of alcohol.

Scales are not really mobile enough for that to be likely. They feed on the plant juices from living tissue. Combine that with limited mobility and it is highly unlikely that they don't hide in the media. They may move and hide in leaf axils, joints, under papery 'sarongs', but that is it.
You may end up just creating unwanted stress from the repotting, but that is reallynup to the owner.

Unless it is a particularly bad infestation, I wouldn't repot it. I do exactly what Bill suggested and have had good success eliminating them when they occasionally appear. Fortunately there do not seem to be many in my area; I'm more likely to receive a plant with them than have them colonise one in my collection.