Some people will tell you to cut the spike off at the base, others will tell you to cut the spike back to a node. The choice is up to you.

To help with the decision, put cut spike in the search box at the top of the discussions page and read some of the past posts on this subject.

I am new to this as well, and what I gathered from the limited research that I've done is to let the orchid continue with its flowering season, and when you see new growth, so in this case cutting one inch above the first node. When it is completely done flowering, cut the spike down at the base to ready it for the following year (or next blooming season). When cutting at the base, it puts all of it energy towards the new blooming season.

I hope I understood this correctly, and I'll be checking the thread to see what other members are suggesting.

I looked online at pictures of different kinds of orchids, and mine is a Phalaenopsis orchid, dark pink color. Thanks to those who posted a reply already.

i have tried both methods with success. the only draw back is that when encouraging branching you may end up with what i currently have, a lovely branch of blooms that erupted at a right angle to the original stem. *sigh* not as pretty but hey, why complain. lol