My indoor potted orchid has finished flowering?

It is now just a dry stem with what looks like some new buds coming on the top. I heard somewere to cut the stem down after flowering but I'm afraid to as it will cut off the new buds. What should I do?

My indoor potted orchid has finished flowering?
Depends on which type of Orchid that you have. THE most popular orchid today - Phalaenopsis or Moth Orchid, often resprout numerous times from the same stem. So if this type you would be advised to leave until brown and fully dry. Some stems can continuously flower for a year or so. The bit of your question that encourages me to think you should leave it alone is your statement 'what looks like some new buds coming on the top'. If the stem is really fully dried out and brown, it is not likely to grow...seems like yours is trying to. Many orchids prefer longer days, to get more sunlight, than the UK has in the winter. I sometimes leave a bright light on to give them a bit more. Beware of harsh bright light and drafts.



Other types typically flower once, and then the stem, and sometimes the base false-bulb can die. You hope they have multiplied. I have an Oncidium like this, its currently got 6 'bulbs' and its flowers are dieing back.



Check to see if yours has a lable, detailing what type it is. Or visit a nursery to compare it with those on sale.



Many, but not all, orchids are somewhat tropical, needing lots of sun and warmth to generate new flowers. My Cymbidiums and Oncidiums flower better after time outdoors and some coolness (not freezing). There are also orchids that can grow in your garden in the UK, or with mimimum protection , just as wild ones do here. I assume that you do not have 1 of these.



Good luck, and come back with more questions if you can discover which type of Orchid you have. Rob
Reply:I agree with Norm, let it do it's thing and it will eventually look dead. Once this happens cut the stem off and sit back and wait. Then one day when you have completely forgotten about it, suddenly you will walk into the room and there will be a new flower. Sounds dumb, but the orchids which we have, always seem to surprise me.
Reply:cut off the old stem. new buds come from new stem. orchid plants need plenty of sunshine. if yrs has been indoor for quite a while, i suggest you move it to a sunny area to give it a boost!
Reply:Groid,



I leave the stems until they finally shrivel up then I cut them off near the plant with a pair of scissors.



The next bloom comes from a new stem.



I discovered quite by accident this year that the plant wants more sun then I thought. I always had it in an East window and while painting I moved it to a south window. Being lazy I left it there and in a few weeks it had put up three new bloom stems. It now permanently resides in the south window and is beautiful. I never had three blooms at once before.



Norm
Reply:cut it to about 12inches tall the new shoot will grow very quick but if your worried you dont necessary need to cut it down it will still grow and flower, dont feed it and give it tepid water once a week until its flowers again, i have just done what ive written and have got a lovely lot of flowers again