Question
I received my first orchid last spring.   After it had finished blooming, I cut the stem down.  A couple months later it began growing another flower stem. It is still healthy and had a 10" stem growing rapidly and was producing new buds regularly.  But, since it was growing out to the side, rather than upwards I decided to stake it in a verical direction.  I had no idea that the stems were so brittle.  It snapped off about an inch above its base! My question is:  Will a Phalaenopsis produce another flower stem when one has broken off before blooming?

Answer
Cyndy, if there is a node (ie joint) below the location of the break in the flower spike, it is possible that a new branch could emerge from that node.  Yes, you do need to be careful when training a flower spike.  It should be done in stages a little at a time.