Phal spike support?? - Orchid Board

Celtic100 · #1 03-03-2011, 10:59 AM

Hi - I proudly have a spike on a phal that I purchased last January from Lowe's. It was in sphag moss and I repotted to bark medium. I now have a spike that's about 4" long with about 6 buds. My question is about supporting this spike - it is growing somewhat horizontally out of the pot rather than straight up. I would like to straighten it with a support but am afraid of snapping it if I do. Is it better for the plant to leave it horizontally or should I try to straighten it? It seems somewhat flexible - also putting a stake into the plant seems as tho it would puncture any roots that are under the surface. I want to do what's best for the plant so pls advise. Thank you in advance.

Orchid126 · #2 03-03-2011, 04:31 PM

You can straighten it gradually. Put the stake next to the spike and use a soft tie in a low spot. Gradually raise the tie up the spike every other day or so. Do this when the plant is dry and needs water so that the spike won't be so turgid. Do this until the tie is just below the lowest flower. Gently and slowly is the key.

Celtic100 · #3 03-04-2011, 09:09 AM

Thanks - hope I can do it w/o ruining it. Sounds like a good approach however. I've never gotten a phal to rebloom so I'm thrilled with this one. I'll post a picture if I get it to continue its progress.

Paul Mc · #4 03-04-2011, 07:59 PM

Some people to stake their flowers, and others do not. For me, sometimes the way the flowers and the spike grow look really neat and I leave them alone to grow naturally, and other times I can't really see the flowers so I will stake them. A few of my orchids that have really long flower spikes I sometimes do stake up due to either space restrictions and/or the weight of the flower spike (i.e. tipping over my plant).

It's really a matter of personal choice.

Enjoy your blooms, and congratulations on getting it to rebloom! Before you know it, you will be addicted like the rest of us, lol...

Celtic100 · #5 03-05-2011, 09:43 AM

Well, when it came right down to doing it, I chickened out. I think I'll just let it grow how it wants to grow.It looks like the flowers will be visible enough as a side view - I couldn't get the spike in far enough (hate forcing into roots) so that it seemed like good support and it looked worse than without. Maybe next time, (hopefully there will be a next time) I will put the spike in before the stem gets gets too long and I can control it better. Thanks - this is a great addiction. BTW - is there any way to post a photo in a current thread - from a folder on your pc or do you have to do the online http thing as indicated in the "post an image icon"?

Paul Mc · #6 03-05-2011, 09:52 AM

If you go to your User CP (located on the top in the row with other links), you will go to your page. Scroll down a bit and you will see photo album. Click on it and then you will be able to upload from your computer images. Be sure to resize them though as there are size restrictions. I don't recall what they are off the top of my head though.

I'm quite sure you will do fine with your new plant! Confidence, patience and learning is all it really takes.

If you ever have a question or any concerns, feel free to post them and someone here would be more than happy to help out with their thoughts and opinions.

dounoharm · #7 03-05-2011, 12:28 PM

when i post pictures, i use the advanced section and use the paper clip option from the top of the page....that brings up a screen from which you can browse for you picture on your computer and upload it....much easier that way

Celtic100 · #8 03-06-2011, 08:34 AM

Thanks - I will try that.

tucker85 · #9 03-06-2011, 09:09 AM

About half the time I let the flower spike grow the way it wants to. Other times I will stake it. I use the technique that "Orchid 126" mentioned. I bring it up a little bit, wait a week , and bring it up a little further. You said the spike is only 4" long. I don't start staking them until they're longer than that. When they're 8" - 10" they will bend easier. I don't think you need to worry about damaging roots when you place the stake. I've never heard of that causing a problem. By the way, if you choose to let it grow any way it wants, it will often look great hanging down from a higher shelf or a hanging basket. Here's a picture of one of mine.