1, I usually wait for leaves to detach themselves, I seldom if ever remove an attached leaf unless diseased.

2. I leave the roots to grow thru the bottom holes. The issue will come when it is time to repot. At that point, you'll either have to cut the pot away from the root(preferred) or cut the root.

On another note, that is known as a terminal spike when it comes from the crown. It is called 'terminal' because generally after producing a spike from the crown of the plant, a phal will die. Your only hope is a keiki (a new plant/growing point sprouting from old) forming on the sides to continue the plant, sadly I see no keikis.

Good luck,

Bob

Thanks, It looks like it is already giving up. It is sad because before flowering, there were two nice new leaves. Not sure why the picture is not there. reattach.

The plant looks fine to me, but where do you live?

We can't really help you out unless we know what area of the world you live and how you are growing this plant. Is it indoors, outdoors, what is the light exposure?

Please give more information about where and how you are growing your Phal.

Jane

Jane,

You must be on your phone or had you been drinking red or white ;-)

Considering the flower spike is growing directly from the crown and the desiccation of the leaves, I'm not sure I would consider that this plant 'looks fine'?

Based on poster's original comments, I believe this is the second blooming on this spike as the original post said they thought they cut it back too short earlier. What I think we see in the pic is a side spike formed after cutting the main spike back, which also explains the 90-180 degree turn and possibly the deformation of the flowers. Regardless, something happened to shock this plant several months ago prior to the flower spike forming in the crown, and I doubt very much if it lives too much longer, unless it forms a keiki.

Personally, I'd enjoy the flowers (if they open) and then stop wasting time, effort and money on that particular plant unless it has special meaning.

Sorry kitui4u,

Bob

I second Bob's comment! Get another plant!

Hello Jane, I am growing my Phals indoor and I live in Boston area. Tx

Well, since Bob accused me of either drinking or going blind, I still think the plant looks like it has a short spike which bloomed or its a basal keiki with blooms. I can't seem to enlarge your photo. It looks like a separate plant next to the larger one.

Yes, Bob. Maybe my eyes are not the greatest, and I do admit looking at it on my phone, but I don't see what you do. I'm on my computer now and it looks like a baby phal next to the larger one.

I'd need more information from the poster. The yellow leaf looks like sunburn. The other leaves look healthy. It does not look like a dying plant!

Now I'll have a glass of wine :))

Jane

Enjoy Jane!

Bob

I think it might be possible that there's a keiki growing from the stalk. Personally I would lightly add a little keiki paste to the stalk to start a new plant because it does look like it sent the bloom spike from the center of the plant. Good luck!

I could be wrong, but the spike looks to be coming from the center of the plant: a terminal spike. It's also in very dry media. You said you'd been away for 2 weeks? I hope by now you've figured out that your orchids probably need a really long soak, and more frequent spraying or watering.