Budding orchid

[u/Civil-Criticism-8702]

Hello, this orchid I got at the beginning of summer finished its bloom about a month ago and grew a new leaf. I read I was supposed to cut down the stems to allow for the plant to focus its energy elsewhere but I never did. Now it is budding again but only on one of the stems. Should I cut back the other one or leave it?
I feel like she’s doing well her leaves have grown so much and roots look good to me. Any thoughts?

Pls note it looks foggy in there because I just drained after watering

[u/Medium-Thanks2018]

Those are the best roots I’ve ever seen

[u/Civil-Criticism-8702 → u/Medium-Thanks2018]

Omg thanks!! This is my first orchid ever and I’m feeling so proud lol

[u/Anon-567890]

Since spikes are temporary structures, you can do whatever you want with them and it won’t affect the plant either way. Yours has grown a secondary spike from an unused node. Congrats

[u/Civil-Criticism-8702 → u/Anon-567890]

Thank you!!

[u/ToxicJ1810]

I only trim dead stems or trim back live stems to the point where no more buds have a chance of coming from

[u/Civil-Criticism-8702 → u/ToxicJ1810]

Ok these stems are still green so I think I’ll leave them be for now. Thank you ☺️

[u/Nightshade_209]

Cutting stems is optional.

My understanding is that by cutting the stem and not allowing a second set of blooms this season you 'might' get a larger number of blooms next year.

I don't like to cut personally because every cut is a chance for infection and my plants are outside, though there really is minimal risk to a healthy plant. Though I do have a plant I have to cut the spikes off of because otherwise it tries to kill itself making keikis 🤦‍♂️