Is this staking too much?

[RoseSD]

Bending backwards too far?

[estación seca]

I think that's OK. As long as it doesn't break while manipulating, it will be fine. I wouldn't change anything right now.

Next time I would use a longer stake. Don't change it now! You don't know how tall that spike will grow.

[Roberta]

If you can use a longer tie (so that the spike is vertical over most of its length instead of pulled back, that would be better... but be very careful. moving the tie. Personally I don't think the spike needed staking at this time, it looks to me like it was growing pretty vertically anyhow. Don't worry about the bud leaning forward... it needs to do so to open in a proper vertical orientation. You really need to learn to basically leave your orchids alone and observe what they are doing, rather than trying to force them to your will, especially this soon in the bloom cycle.

[RoseSD]

Thanks. I love the post-use elastic band of surgical.mask to
tie orchids with. Flexible and soft. Everyone please cut your mask bands after use to keep wild life safe.

[claypot]

I think it all depends on WHY you want to stake. OK, if you intend showing there are certain protocols about good/bad staking, but for just personal enjoyment do what pleases you. Personally I will stake only as a last resort because I like my plants to react in their natural way - there are no stakes in nature.

[RoseSD]

Originally Posted by claypot

I think it all depends on WHY you want to stake. OK, if you intend showing there are certain protocols about good/bad staking, but for just personal enjoyment do what pleases you. Personally I will stake only as a last resort because I like my plants to react in their natural way - there are no stakes in nature.

May I see your paph in flowering stage when they didn't receive any stake support?

[Roberta]

Rose, That plant doesn't look to me like it needs any staking. Part of your learning process is to observe what it does naturally - don't panic... the plant "knows" what it needs to do to in terms of orienting the flower. After you see what it does naturally, you can decide the stake-don't stake choice more rationally. But if you don't know the pattern by watching it develop, you are not in a position to make that decision. I fear that you feel the need to intervene based on your own preconceptions. Let your orchids teach you