Spike support

[lambelkip]

i recently acquired an oncidium, and was wondering if anybody had ideas on how to support a spike. the plant has one spike tied to a stake in the pot, but the other spike is unsupported. the new spike is coming from a pseudobulb that is hanging outside the pot, so there's not really a spot close enough where i could put another stake in the pot. any suggestions for supporting it? or should i just let it hang down?

[betwixtimes]

I can't see the image because I'm at work right now. But could you make an armature that starts in the pot?

For instance a heavy wire that seats inside of a stake, perhaps bamboo, since it's hallow you can use putty or glue to affix the wire which like the orchid could 'lean out of the pot'---the important thing would be to make sure that it can keep rigidity while cantilevering the stake.

[dr_frnkblck]

I let my Oncidium spikes hang naturally. I think it looks more natural.

[JennS]

I only have a couple oncidiums, but I have never staked them either. It came staked when I first got one, but since then have just left them. I don't think they generally get heavy enough to break the stalk. Just my two cents...

[Ross]

You certainly can use a second stake to support the second spike or you could also use green twist-tie stuff to tie it back to the original stake as it grows. Oncidium spike tend to be pretty durable, so you can pull it over without breaking it off. Work from the bottom up as it grows. Either way will work.

[lambelkip]

thanks everybody. i think i'll just let it hang, i like the idea of having a more natural look.

[susiep]

My sweet sugar had 2 big spikes recently and I didn't stake them either. Well, one of them did break from the weight. I was so disappointed. So, I just cut it off and put the whole spike in a bud vase and enjoyed the flowers for another 2 weeks. So it can happen. Just find some way to support the stem on the lower half. That is what I will do next time!