Should I turn a spiking plant?

[Connie Star]

I have a Dendrobium hybrid that is in spike. It is the first plant I have taken thru a whole cycle. In flower when I bought it (first orchid ever), finished flowering and now is spiking. The spikes are leaning toward the window (floor to second floor ceiling, south facing). Is it okay to turn it periodically to keep it straight, or will it just twist?

[tuvoc]

First of all, congrats on getting a second spike. It's really fun to re flower your first chid. Turn it about a quarter turn per week, or so, to help it grow straighter. Just remember to stop when the buds start getting fat, or your flowers will end up facing every which way.

Kim

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I'd stop turning as soon as you see the first beginnings of bud formation.

[zxyqu]

I agree with King, as if you stop after the buds start forming, you can still get the confused on which direction to face blooms occuring. So, as the spike starts to elongate, once you start to see the first signs of blooming, just let it go where it is from there, that way the blooms will be all but perfect for that condition. Good luck, and congrats!

[johnblagg]

I have a friend that always wants the spikes on his phals to be more upright and they sit in front of a big window and want to go to the window.
they bloomed great this year but this year I convinced him to not turn it but to move it directly under the 400 watt mh instead.Big difference in the size and number of blooms as a result and much more upright spike which did not need staking.

I believe turning them causes more energy to go towards growing back to the light again instead of to more buds and bloom size,and I know in some non orchid plants can cause bud drop.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

With Phals, (actually preferably with any orchid in cultivation), I prefer not to rotate the plant...

But that's me. What matters to me is that they grow right and bloom correctly.

I went along with the rotation thingy 'cause I understood what Connie Star wanted to do, and felt Dendrobiums would be okay without seeing any noticeable change in plant positioning. All this without having to spend $500 on a halide system.

However...

Rotating a Phal will be plenty noticeable. When you rotate the plant, you're not just forcing the plant to expend more energy into re-orienting the flower spike, you're forcing the plant to expend more energy re-orienting itself entirely.

I noticed how some of you guys rotated your Paphiopedilums in certain pics I've seen for the OB project plant game. The leaves end up with a rosette type growing formation.

Guess what, that's exactly what will happen if you keep rotating a Phalaenopsis as well.

The plant has to change it's physiology repeatedly to align itself with the sun or source of light with every rotation. With every change, there's more energy expenditure, which in turn could quite possibly (not always) result in fewer and smaller flowers.

It's ultimately your choice.

However, if Connie Star decides to rotate her Dendrobium, I still stand by my initial recommendation of halting rotation upon the first indication of bud formation.

[johnblagg]

Thanks for the good info there I was simply saying I dont like to rotate them as I do see a difference.But I did scrimp for a entire summer to buy 4 hid lights.Only used in winter when it supplies heat for the room as a bonus so it helps pay for itself by saving on heating cost while lighting my little jungle.

get sneaky a 400 watt mh only cost $150 if you go to the electrical supply house and buy a highbay light like is used in factories.This is reflector and all.If You dont go looking for "grow lights" they can be reasonable.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

[

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by johnblagg

Thanks for the good info there I was simply saying I dont like to rotate them as I do see a difference.But I did scrimp for a entire summer to buy 4 hid lights.Only used in winter when it supplies heat for the room as a bonus so it helps pay for itself by saving on heating cost while lighting my little jungle.

get sneaky a 400 watt mh only cost $150 if you go to the electrical supply house and buy a highbay light like is used in factories.This is reflector and all.If You dont go looking for "grow lights" they can be reasonable.

Good suggestion.

I was actually glad you brought up your friend's story. It illustrates a good point to consider.

I apologize for the above, I double posted.

[Connie Star]

Thanks everybody- I like the advice I get as a rank beginner. I'll rotate it one quarter turn once to see if it effects it and then let it be.