As with most flowering plants, once the orchid’s flowers have died, it is best to remove the dead flowers. If the flower spike is still fresh and green, it is healthy and will flower again. If the flower spike is yellowing, cut this section off at its lowest node and a new flower spike should grow from this point.

How to care for your orchid
Orchids are one of the most elegant and beautiful of all the houseplants, and because they have slightly different needs, they can be thought of as a difficult plant to look after. However, they are quite simple to care for if you learn about their unique needs.
In the wild, most orchid species would grow on the bark of trees, and because of this, orchids need a special orchid compost which is bark based. The loose structure of the compost allows water and air to flow freely around the roots of the plant. If you potted an orchid in a normal compost, the roots would become waterlogged and quickly start to rot.
Pruning
Feeding
Orchids will quickly use up the nutrients in the compost, and there are various ways to feed them. One is with a liquid feed added to water. Another is to buy special orchid water, which contains everything your plant needs. Alternatively you can spray the flowers with orchid mist which will prolong the life of the blooms.
Watering
Orchids only need watering once a week, and should never be left with water in their pot covers because the roots will rot. Put the orchid in the kitchen sink and water very thoroughly, or stand it in a basin of tepid water for a few minutes. When the plant has had a chance to absorb as much water as it needs, allow it to drain thoroughly before placing it back in its pot cover. The pot cover should have a domed or raised base to prevent the orchid sitting in water.
Repotting
It can be tempting to repot orchids too soon, because the roots quickly fill the pot. However this is perfectly natural, and the orchid only needs repotting when the roots are tightly twisted and there is very little room for bark in the pot.
When re-potting, always use fresh specialist orchid compost and dispose of the old compost because the plants are very susceptible to disease. Choose a slightly larger pot than the old one – a translucent pot is best as it allows light into the roots. Fill 1/3 of the pot with orchid compost.
Take the orchid out of its old pot, and gently brush away as much of the old bark as possible. Cut away any soft brown roots. Lower into the new pot, and fill in around it with the new compost. You may need to use a chopstick or the blunt end of a pencil to nudge the bark into the spaces between the roots. Fill to a few centimetres from the top edge, and water well, as above. Mist the leaves for a few days after repotting while the plant recovers, and top up the bark if it settles.