Ben,

Don't cut the plant in half! That's definitely not something to do with a
Phal.

Phals do not go dormant after flowering. Just continue to care for the Phal
after it stops flowering just like you did during the flowering, so water
and fertilize it as usual and make sure that it gets enough light. If you
think that it may have outgrown it's pot or if the medium that it is potted
in has decomposed with age, right after flowering would be a good time to
repot into fresh medium and either the same pot or a slightly bigger one. If
the plant's leaves and roots seem healthy, then I would recommend that you
do not cut the flower spike at all unless/until it grows dry (is no longer
green). If however the plant appears to not be in great health, then cut the
flower spike down as close to the bottom as possible without cutting the
rest of the plant. If you cut the spike all the way down, most likely you
won't get the plant to grow a new spike until about a year later. If you
leave the flower spike alone and it continues to stay fresh and green it may
reflower for you again from the same spike sooner, but this should be
allowed only if the plant is healthy, since Phals have been known to bloom
themselves to death if one is not careful. But a healthy Phal can easily
continue to bloom on the same spike after a brief break if it so chooses.
Some people also cut the flower spike beneath where the lowest flower that
wilted used to be -- this may induce the Phal to reflower sooner, but this
should only be attempted if the plant is healthy. If you have any doubts
about whether or not the Phal is healthy or about any other part of this
advice, please ask, and I or someone else here will be glad to tell you
more.

Hope this helps.
Joanna

"Ben Tuinman" wrote in message
news
I am new to orchids, but getting hooked fast....! Our orchid
(phalaenopsis)
is in fine shape with an abundance of blooms. However, when these blooms
wilt, will the plant go into dormancy ? For how long ?
It has been suggested that we cut the plant in half. Is this true, and if
so, how do I
cut ours since it has a side branch ? I have taken two pictures which may
be
seen at http://album.freeprohost.com

Thanks !