In my very limited experience and knowledge, I think I would NOT cut it further down at this point but only make sure the break is a clean cut with a disposable razor. I do not put cinnamon on the open part of the plant when I cut it but just watch it carefully. Maybe someone more familiar with doing this can comment. I see no reason why your phal should not throw off another spike from this one but it will take some time. As far as I know, cutting of the entire stem makes the plant spike from "scratch" which is desirable when you want the plant to rest between flowering. Cutting back to the appropriate node give the plant a "head start" to the next flowering...so essentially, you will wait a bit longer but not 8 months. Hopefully, two nodes will propagate and you will get twice the blooms :)

Haha I love the picture. It clarifies why your family is upset. Same thing happens to me sometimes. I think rule number 1 is try to keep the pile away from the house, or anybody's house for that matter. Also, when the police find the body, you can arrange the alibi better. If you can find a day when everyone is away, consider just digging it up and moving it. A dirty job, but it solves the problem. I would compost in a fallow bed rather than near my house. Moving the pile is the direct approach to getting the smell away from people. After all, the pile is not a huge problem, it is the location. This method is guaranteed to be effective for anybody but Raymond Burr in Rear Window. Maybe chemistry can help. Wood ash will raise pH. That might get rid of your boggy smell. Sawdust will soak things up a little and raise C if too much N is your problem. Neither will bring catastrophe if you are wrong in guessing the cause. Lime and or wood chips might be your last resorts in this category. Barring that, I would go for cover. Two weeks is likely to be enough. Leaves>cardboard>tarp Just keep going until you cannot smell it. Open it up when people are not around. Then you can check it and air it out or turn it. It might go anaerobic or continue to be so, but that will end eventually as you keep turning it, reduce cover, and get back to normal. I have tried all of these things in different situations, none involving victims of foul play. Is the smell really that bad? You have not mentioned insects or vermin problems. Have you considered a new family? haha!

I think each of us must do what is in our nature. Most people will give you a piece if you ask, and more often larger than the one you steal. I show my plants, and I would be really feel betrayed and hurt if gueast did that in my garden. How would you feel if I came into your garden and snitched a few pieces of a plant that you have been growing for 5 years and you prized it. After all a leaf fell off. Most nurseries would ask you not to return, and if your lucky not call the police. I hear them telling me that people often pick off the fuit on their trees that are for sell then they don't sell. Jeff has been to my garden and he know what I'm talking about. Now I have a list of people I would not invite. You are not welcome. Jeff I can't wait for you to stop by I have a big surprise for you waiting. Bring labels with you and a #2 soft lead pencil. You know I like giving away plants. Norma

Three days ago, main stem broke when I neglected to properly secure it my plant, it rained and weighed down everything causing this. Unfortunately the break is on a stem that has half of the flowers and was the most vigorous. The break was about 2/3 clean snap and 1/3 connected remaining. I panicked and just made do with what was handy, mostly because I didn't want it exposed to the spores in the air and microbes that the rain carries in the wind from the leaves of the higher trees around. Maybe I just made it a breeding ground, but so far, choked or not, it appears mending. I think one more day with the cut tube and I'll undo the wires, hoping scar tissue has the wound protected and then I'll better support it and see. Don't know if this will help or if it was a mistake, but take a look in case it gives you and (good) ideas if it happens again.