--- title: "New to orchids here so still learning! I’ve had this moth(?) orchid…" description: "New to orchids here so still learning! I’ve had this moth(?) orchid for several months now and it recently lost its last flower. It’s putting out new roots and…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ/CZf6R2oMeqTMCUmpCHJKpV" community: "The Orchid Oasis" author: "Jcook" published: "2025-06-18T20:44:08.572415Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/NWQC0BUafbuKfCuW2BgtopA8Yd3kF91HUrAGcA2EMn4/Ic7ICWM8Q2yZFVjm3ruzLw.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [The Orchid Oasis](https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ.md) # New to orchids here so still learning! I’ve had this moth(?) orchid… _Posted by Jcook on 2025-06-18_ New to orchids here so still learning! I’ve had this moth(?) orchid for several months now and it recently lost its last flower. It’s putting out new roots and working on its second new leaf, so I think it’s happy. But what do I do with the naked flower spikes? Should I leave them alone, cut back to the last normal colored node, or cut the whole thing off at the base? Thanks in advance :) P.s. I think the black blister on one of the leaves was sunburn from when I first brought it home, it’s gone unchanged for the last several months. ![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/NWQC0BUafbuKfCuW2BgtopA8Yd3kF91HUrAGcA2EMn4/Ic7ICWM8Q2yZFVjm3ruzLw.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/NWQC0BUafbuKfCuW2BgtopA8Yd3kF91HUrAGcA2EMn4/TnmSGYXLQxy4MDhwTsbQVQ.webp?size=large) ## 10 comments ### LeafyGreenhouse commented on 2025-06-18 1- yes it’s a moth orchid from what it looks like 2 You can leave the spikes 3 you can leave the discoloration or cut it back what ever you want it doesn’t really matter 4 If you have any more questions feel free to ask I have 8 moth orchids ! ### Jcook commented on 2025-06-18 Thank you! I feel like we’re following each other around on this app today hahaha. Do I need to repot yet? It’s still in its original aerated orchid pot I got it in. ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/NWQC0BUafbuKfCuW2BgtopA8Yd3kF91HUrAGcA2EMn4/_fGYMHhzSE-mwrfNWhs8JQ.webp?size=large) #### Waspinator replied on 2025-06-19 Moth orchids like to be root bound, but yours can probably repot now or soon #### Jordan replied on 2025-06-19 Yes I totally would! For some insane reason most if not all orchids that come from a store have a plastic cage around the center roots! Cut the cage out. Repot in orchid bark only :) #### LeafyGreenhouse replied on 2025-06-20 Looks ok for now ! Maybe in the next month or two #### LeafyGreenhouse replied on 2025-06-20 But if you want to you can ### Jordan commented on 2025-06-19 Personally I would cut the spikes off completely. That’s what I do with mine and I feel as I get more blooms the next year. But leaving them on or trimming them is great too! #### Jen replied on 2025-06-20 I do the same. It lets the plant focus all its energy on new leaves and roots, and I find it leads to a healthier all around orchid and a nicer flush the following year. #### Jen replied on 2025-06-20 Example I get 9, 10, (14!) blooms instead of 2 or 3 if I cut the spike and get a second growth on the same stem ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/yzTKthJiLOlCUPKH-vsQ5NzOhcFfTrb-kTRTwJ_ViN0/L9SRZSTaRNmFI9Rmk3Bocg.webp?size=large) #### Jordan replied on 2025-06-20 Holy wow!!! Looks beautiful!!! 😍 --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_