not stake Phal spike?

[VickiC]

Do any of you not stake the spikes on your potted Phals? If there are those of you who do not, have you experienced problems by not doing so - and what were they? Approx. 1/2 of my 25 Phals are potted and all but 3 of these have spikes of various heights. I have not staked any of them because I enjoy watching the spikes grow naturally (well, as natural as possible in a pot).

I am begginning to get a bit concerned because of what I have been reading recently in past threads (and post replies) concerning this because it seems that most people do stake spikes in pots.

Now that I've thought more about it, I assume there is a possibilty of snapping from weight of the buds and blooms (??), but this is only my 2nd Phal rebloom year and I didn't have that problem last time (of course, I had few spikes then...and none were as tall as this season.)

If it would be safer and advisable to stake, I will try to do so on the ones that are not already (from what I've read) too tall.

I would appreciate any advise that you can give to me.
Vicki

[Call_Me_Bob]

For me, it depends on the plant. Sometimes the spikes can support themselves sometimes they can't so i think it's really up to what you like. I would try different things. If the plant looks like it would be nice with a traditional stake, then go ahead.

It's up to you and what you enjoy most. I've never heard of them breaking, but it could happen

[boytjie]

It's worth remembering that in the wild, most Phal species will grow "upside-down," hanging from a tree limb. This helps avoid crown rot from frequent rains, but also would, I'd imagine, allow a spike to hang straight down, thus making weight on a bent bloom spike a non-issue. "Domesticated" Phals are generally grown in pots, a human convention, so you might need that stake to counteract the fact that the plant and blooms are growing upright. As mentioned above, it depends on the plant. Keep an eye on it and see how heavy the spike gets. -Stephen

[WhiteRabbit]

I don't know if the spike would be likely to snap, tho it will bow with weight of blooms. I frequently don't stake spikes on various types of orchids. I have a couple phals now (no id, both the same) with multiple spikes, none staked, however these both grow upright spikes, small blooms, sequential bloomer, so the don't bow, but do grow towards the window, and even with constant turning of the pot it is now impossible to fit the plant on the windowsill - so that's one drawback to not staking.

Unstaked, the spike can take up a lot of space, and make the plant difficult to handle for watering and such.

I happen to like the natural unstaked look, but it's frequently impractical.

Attaching pix of unstaked Onc Sharry Baby spike - I know your question is regarding Phals, but demonstrates the same - spike heavily bowed from blooms - I love the look, but makes it hard to find space for it

first photo is just as buds began to open, spike still fairly upright

[Call_Me_Bob]

For a phal. If you stake it just below the last bloom, it should have some bow. From the blooms yet be upright as well

[BobInBonita]

Most of my orchids (including phals) grow outdoors in slat baskets. I like the bowed natural look, but will occasionally clip a spike to the wires that hang the basket - just for the esthetics of that plant.

I have rarely had a spike broken and just blame it on the birds. Don't know if they ever spontaneously crack.

It does take more space than upright, but I think you should do what pleases your eye.

[VickiC]

Bob, I decided that I would stake the longest one you see in the picture slightly just to be on the safe side. I don't have another spike that's quite as long and "thick" (for lack of the correct word) as this one. I don't know how long and in what postion the others will grow before they bud, so I think I'll just wait a bit longer and monitor them to see what their growth habit (etc.) is going to be.
Thanks for your help!
Vicki

Originally Posted by help

For me, it depends on the plant. Sometimes the spikes can support themselves sometimes they can't so i think it's really up to what you like. I would try different things. If the plant looks like it would be nice with a traditional stake, then go ahead.

It's up to you and what you enjoy most. I've never heard of them breaking, but it could happen

[VickiC]

Hi Stephen,
Thanks for your advice.

One of my potted phals did develop crown rot not long ago, and that is just one more reason that I prefer mounting, as you said (the Mother phal grew two baby keikes, by the way. ) I also like the natural plant growth habit of a Phal (upside down). My only problem is that I don't have much room left for mounted plants in my greenhouse, although I know I'll come up with more in time.

I plan to do as you suggested and keep a closer watch on the other spikes.
Vicki

Originally Posted by boytjie

It's worth remembering that in the wild, most Phal species will grow "upside-down," hanging from a tree limb. This helps avoid crown rot from frequent rains, but also would, I'd imagine, allow a spike to hang straight down, thus making weight on a bent bloom spike a non-issue. "Domesticated" Phals are generally grown in pots, a human convention, so you might need that stake to counteract the fact that the plant and blooms are growing upright. As mentioned above, it depends on the plant. Keep an eye on it and see how heavy the spike gets. -Stephen

[RosieC]

I stake some and not others. Just been round tonight in fact staking some growing ones, but I left others.

I stake those which look like they may lean over so much that the plant is pulled sideways and either the spike not support it's own weight or the plant become unstable. If the spike is growing upright and looks like it can support it's self then I leave it to grow more naturally.

[Call_Me_Bob]

i have also observed that some phals have THICK spike and some have THIN spikes. i like mounted as well, but its hard for me to water them everyday, being under lights and all. i do have one huge mounted noid. its actually in spike! i has one thats active and a tiny little mitten that hasnt done anything for a month. anyways, there isnt much space for the spike of this one.

some of my phals get top heavy if they have lots of blooms, another reason i stake sometimes.