Cinnamon on spike? - Orchid Board

Helen · #1 08-23-2007, 02:10 AM

Just wondering if you have to sprinkle cinnamon on after cutting off a phal or brassia spike? I have a feeling your answers will be NO....??

thanks

quiltergal · #2 08-23-2007, 02:30 AM

I never bother. The spikes on phals are pretty woody and don't seem like they would be susceptible to rot.

caseydoll · #3 08-23-2007, 05:25 AM

I've read in my books before that you don't have to apply anything to the cut spike. Just make sure that you use a sterilized tool to make the cut with.

Helen · #4 08-23-2007, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caseydoll

I've read in my books before that you don't have to apply anything to the cut spike. Just make sure that you use a sterilized tool to make the cut with.

Oops just used clean scissors....hope it'll be okay...

caseydoll · #5 08-23-2007, 06:17 PM

I'm sure that your scissors were fine. It is mostly an issue if you are using a tool to cut that has been used on other plants or orchids. A sterilized tool just cuts down on the risk of spreading a virus or disease from plant to plant. So I'm sure that your clean scissors were fine. I have been known to just grab my kitchen scissors to do it and have never had a problem.

(knock on wood!)

DaveonLI · #6 08-23-2007, 06:41 PM

While I've not used cinnamon on flower spikes, my plant of Cochleanthes Amazing (it nicely lives up to its name) started to develop the black spots of death on some of the leaves. (This seems to happen a lot with these wet growing fan shaped zygopetalum types). No spots. No spread of fungus to the rest of the plant. Plant seems very happy-is sending up many flowers too.