It really doesn't matter how long that stem is. You just don't want to damage any buds, so be sure you are below those buds/flowers. I don't have many Phal. but have lots of other genera. Here are a couple in bloom now with several stems of flowers staked.
drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)
The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.
