By Casso
Kent,
United Kingdom 
I have put a question on before about my Phalaenopsis orchid which was bought for me. I have had it a long time and it still looks exactly the same. No deterioration.How long do they last? I am beginning to wonder if it is silk one rather than a real one.
5 Sep, 2010
Answers
The flowers do last for weeks, Casso. I hope it is a real one, though!
5 Sep, 2010
Sometimes they seem to go on forever Casso, that's why I like them. They take forever re flowering too sometimes. They are the only houseplant I have ever had a good relationship with!
5 Sep, 2010
Me too Dorjac they don't seem to mind that I water them once in a blue moon.
5 Sep, 2010
assuming it is not silk , when the flowers finish dont cut the whole stem off but cut it back to just ABOVE a node if there is one. Not always but sometimes a new flowering branch will re-grow in time. If however in ten years time your flowers are still fresh I would suggest washing them in soapy water & hang them on the washing line to dry - - - -just kidding ;-)
5 Sep, 2010
My OH bought me an orchid at the end of April and it's still flowering beautifully (and yes it's real!).
6 Sep, 2010
Thank you for all the replies.It is not silk. I've had it for at least 2 months. There are a few nodes but they don't seem to be growing. I water it once a week. It is beautiful. I did once put a photo of it on GOY but can't find it now.
6 Sep, 2010
Casso - you won't get any new stems until after the main one has dropped its last flower, and then cut it back to above the bottom node on that stem. It might pause for a while before a new stem appears.
6 Sep, 2010
Thank you Spritzhenry.. I shall continue to enjoy it and then take the advice you give.
6 Sep, 2010
You're welcome. :-)
By the way, I wrote a blog on orchids which you might like to read - you'll find it under my blog archive on my page. It was in October 2009.
6 Sep, 2010
I now have roots coming out of the hole at the bottom of the pot. Do I now have to re-pot it?
11 Sep, 2010
It's more usual to repot in the spring, I believe, or at least when the orchid isn't in flower. Get some special orchid 'compost' from your Garden Centre...they usually stock it.
11 Sep, 2010
Thank you Spritzhenry. I think I'll cut off the root that's sticking out and report in the spring.
11 Sep, 2010
You're welcome. :-))
11 Sep, 2010
How long has it been flowering Casso and have any of the flowers fallen off and others opened? Just by touching it you will know if it is silk or not.
5 Sep, 2010