Help with an out-of-bloom orchid?

Question

I am new to having orchids, andI have a phalaenopsis orchid, and the last bloom dropped about a month ago. I was told not to cut the spike back, so i just left the plant to do what it will...

but... the spikes have all but shriveled up to brown twigs. The leaves have lost their firmness completely, and droop over the edge of the pot (but are still green).

is this normal? is there something i can do?

info >>> I know i had problems with Scale on the plant towards the end of its blooming, and i spot treated with rubbing alcohol, and used a oil spray on the plant that a worker at a specialty plant store suggested, which both treated the scale. And, i re-potted the plant as suggested in orchid potting mix. shortly after it bloomed to try and eliminate the scale.

help! i dont want to lose my orchid. is this normal? is there something i can do?

>>i have another orchid i just bought (a phal.) thats still in bloom, what should i do with it when it's done blooming?

Answer 1

look into the site below

I live in the Tampa area of Florida and grow store bought orchids though only a few so far, my daughter lives in Atlanta and does the same thing,,, here's what we have found so far,,,

low light, low watering, NO standing water, low feeding, no exposure to cigarette smoke

when I get my orchid home I set two small Miracle Grow house plant spikes on the "soil", not in the soil.  I do a soaking watering once a week only until the water flows freely from the pot drainage holes.  The plants are set in filtered light with a western exposure.  Once the bloom stalks have withered and become "sticks" I cut them back about an inch above the green plant growth.  Other than maintaining a water schedule I do nothing else.  I have 3 that have re-bloomed now.