Question
Bought a phalaenopsis last year.  After all the blooms died off, I cut back the stalks.  Once a week or so, I would water/fertilize.  Two new stalks sprouted and about a month ago I started noticing buds (many) which I believe is right on schedule.  But my question is, I have noticed additional "stalks" or offshoots growing off the two main stalks and they seem to be getting buds.  I never noticed these last year, so I am wondering if this is okay or should I pinch off these offshoots?

Thanks.

Answer
Suzanne, It's not clear when you say you cut back the old flower spike whether you cut it all the way back or just part way. If you just cut it back part way and the buds are forming on branches of the old flower spike, you are fortunate enough to have the type of phaalaenopsis hybrid on which the old flower spikes remain green and can rebloom.  When old flower spikes rebloom, they usually send off branches of the old spike at a node or joint in the main flower spike. These branches can then form buds and flowers.  So, if I understand the situation you have, is that you have both these branches of the old flower spike as well as new flower spikes originating at the base of the plant. If this is the case, it is a sign that you have done a good growing job and your plant is stronger than it was last year.  This added strength pays dividends in improved flowering.  If you indeed have a large and healthy plant, it should be able to support the flowering of branches on the previous flower spike as well as the new flower spikes. I would not cut off any of the growth.  Sometimes plants attempt a "super flowering" such as the one you describe.  If the plant is not strong enough to support all of the buds or flowers it will automatically abort those it can't support and tyhos can then be removed.  But, for now, I would let it develop as is and see what happens.  Good Growing.