Pot clips - how do they work?

[alannanoelle]

My new phal is about 4 feet tall, and when I repotted it last night, it is a bit looser in the new bark medium than it was in the old moss. It sways a bit...I had to lean it against the wall to keep it from falling. I read on a post below that pot clips (or rhizome clips) work to help hold the plant up. I am about to make an orchid supply purchase, and I noticed that there are several different sizes and types of pot clips and rhizome clips. By looking at them, I can't figure out how they work. Can someone explain to me how they work? Also, what size and type would you recommend based on the size of my plant?

Thank you!

[cb977]

Pot clips come in two basic varieties...and then those are available in different sizes depending on what size pot you're using.

This first one is used for pots with thinner walls, like plastic pots:
EZ-ON Pot Clips Single Clips: Camp Lot A Noise Tropicals

For pots with thicker walls, like clay pots, you would use these:
Pot Clips: Camp Lot A Noise Tropicals

They're rather easy to use. Pot your plant, then place the end of the clip in between the bulbs/canes/rhizomes
and slip the other end over the edge of the pot.

It will hold the plant in place while it is establishing itself.

[masda]

Plants with long spikes and lots of flowers sometimes need weight in the bottom of the pot,I use round pebbles, size depends on the pot also as a supplement to feeding use limestone chips, then the pot clips.

So much to learn so little time.

[alannanoelle]

Thank you!

[Ross]

Another thing. Sometimes when repotting, folks tend to be a bit loose with the medium. With bark or LECA, you want to stomp the pot on the potting bench to settle the medium as firmly as possible. This will help stabilize the roots and the plant.

[Ray]

A four-feet-tall phal?!?!?!?

We are talking about the length of a flower spike, right? If so, after proper potting (reread Ross' advice), a simple stake to hold the spike erect might be the only need.

[cabnc]

I would echo Ray's question. Is this an older, mature specimen which is tall ? I have a few !! If there are no basal keikis, etc you may want to remove the lower part of the stem, what was probably in the pot before, and then repot so the plant is now 'shorter'. A picture of your plant would be helpful.

[alannanoelle]

Yes, I'm speaking of the spike. The entire thing, from pot to tip is close to 4'. The spike itself is closer to 3'. Here is a photo of it. Since I repotted it, I now have to brace the spike against the bar on the wall so that it will not tip over.

[cabnc]

Simple suggestion -- get a pretty (but heavy) pot slightly larger than the plastic pot the phal is in. Slip plastic pot into heavy pot using stones in bottom to get the rim at a pleasing height. That extra weight will keep everything upright.