Have I pruned my orchid correctly?

[kazzianne]

Hi.My boyriend bought me a mini orchid for Vanentine's Day,a beautiful cream one in a little ceramic pot.I watered it as it said on label,then two weeks ago the flowers started to shrivel and die.On the label it said that if I cut the stem back to the first raised joint then new buds may appear after a few weeks.But it doesnt clarify whether it should be first raised joint below where the flowers were or first raised joint from the bottom of the stem.So I cut it from below the flowers which means the stem is still about 10 inches tall.Now the big green leaves at the base are still fine but the stem looks dead and brown.Do I persevere with it or is it dead?And did I prune it wrong? Any help appreciated.

[lafrancaise]

You cut from the first raised joint from the bottom of the stem. orchids need a warm, very humid atmosphere so spraying regularly is essential. Personally, I admire anybody who manages to keep these plants alive!!

[patsyann]

I am on my third Phalaenopsis (moth Orchid) which I imagine is the same type as yours as they are very popular.My first one flowered for many weeks and then one by one the flowers dropped off and I cut the stems right off and after a few months a new stem started to grow at the base.eventually one by one the buds opened and lasted for ages with the first of the flowers eventually dropping off one by one and that plant I have again cut right down.Orchid no 2 I have been through the same procedure until deciding with this one I have cut just below the last flower above a joint and stem has stayed green.Orchid no3 is double stemmed and full of flowers and been that way for weeks again the flowers came out one by one and I have one bud to open.I have all the plants standing on a saucer of pebbles that i keep watered and I also spray ythe leaves about twice a week and water lightly into the top of the pot.Hopefully yours will shoot from the bottom if you are patient and look after it.Mine are in a semi sunny room with any temperature that we ourselves are comfortable in.I also use an orchid fertiliser once a month.

[kazzianne]

Thanks for that.Bit confused now tho - it says on the label that after I have cut it back it needs to be kept somewhere cool (10.5c) for 4 weeks and then new flower buds may appear.Think Im not gona have much luck with this !

[patsyann]

dont give up. Google Moth Orchids and click on to the Easy Orchids-Home page for step by step advice,which is where I got all my advice from.It will be fun for you if a new stem does start to grow.