When is the right time to stake-up phals?

[josterha]

Hello all,

I have a Doritenopsis Chain Xen Queen which now has two spikes growing from opposite sides of the plant. The spikes are growing at 45 degree angles up and away from the leaves. Should I stake these spikes now in order to train them to grow in a more vertical direction, or will they eventually point upwards on their own? One spike is now about 9" and the other 12". I don't want to stunt their growth, but I also don't want the spikes to harden and be stuck in their current position. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
John
(in cool and clammy Chicago)

[nutgirl]

Hi,

I find that if left to themselves the spikes will keep growing out at whatever angle they're at. If you want them upright you have to stake them.

When mine are long enough to safely move them around I start training them up the stake. As they get longer I attach them higher. I'm not a fan of real tight attachments, mine are just kind of encouraged to go up the stake. Sometimes I want the droopy look so I just use the stake to support the arching flower spike.

Be careful, if the spike isn't long enough you won't have much movement and it can break very easily.(which will totally ruin your day!!!!)

Maureen

[RosieC]

I would stake them, but I would use loose clips.

The ones I have are a piece of plastic in a figure of eight. The smaller side of that goes tight arround the stake, the larger side is, well larger, and is loose arround the flower spike.

Because the clip is loose the flower spike just keeps growing through it. As the spike grows I adjust the height of the clips on the stake. Once buds start forming I allow the top section to curve over.

I only use those little spring clip types once the flower spike has stopped growing.

Even so, I've sometimes staked them early when the spike is only two to three inches and at the wrong angle, I've seen them develop a 'scrape' mark up the spike where the angle the spike is trying to grow at causes it to rub on the loose clip. I try and avoid this, but it has never seemed to really hurt the spike or the flowers.

[josterha]

Thanks Maureen and Rosie. I will use a loose "bread tie" so that the spike can still grow, but not at the haphazzard angles that it is now. Thanks for the advice!

John