Loved your response about talking to orchids!!
Gail
"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
ink.net...
Hi, Michelle,

Welcome to Orchid Growers Anonymous!

First, it sounds like you have things well in hand; the plants sound
healthy. Once a Dendrobium spike has dropped its flowers it will not
rebloom, so it's okay to cut it all the way back, using a sterile tool or
a
new, single edged razor blade (we're big on sanitation!). It's not unusual
for standard Dends to lose leaves due to stress or changes in temperature
or
location, and Dends can and do bloom on bare canes, so don't cut the canes
unless there is some kind of rot.

They like plenty of light, but not direct, unfiltered sun.

Do we talk to our orchids? Hah! We talk to them, cajole them, play music
for
them, argue with them, and write stories imagining the antics they pull
when
we are not around. We occasionally threaten one with the salad shredder;
that generally produces blooms.

Stay in touch.

Diana