Q on spike
Login
User Name
Password   


Registration is FREE. Click to become a member of OrchidBoard community
(You're NOT logged in)

menu menu

Sponsor
Donate Now
and become
Forum Supporter.

Q on spike
Many perks!
<...more...>


Sponsor
 

Google


Fauna Top Sites
Register Q on spike Members Q on spike Q on spike Today's PostsQ on spike Q on spike Q on spike
LOG IN/REGISTER TO CLOSE THIS ADVERTISEMENT
Go Back   Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web ! > >
Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-13-2012, 11:09 PM
Slobo Slobo is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Posts: 104
Q on spike Male
Default Q on spike



When would be the right time to start training flower spike to grow upright?

Thanks,

Slobo
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-14-2012, 06:47 AM
Wjs2nd Wjs2nd is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 454
Q on spike Male
Default

It depends on the type of orchid you have. Some orchids will even get pretty long spikes (2-3 feet) and will not need any kind of support. Just don't move an orchid around in the light and that help the spike grow up straight. Move it around to much and it may twist the spike or make your blooms twist.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-14-2012, 08:39 AM
Jennyfleur Jennyfleur is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Mersea Island, Essex
Posts: 1,323
Q on spike Female
Default

I agree, it depends what spike it is and what angle it's growing at before you put the stake in - some of my phal spikes start horizontal and I need to gradually ease them upwards whereas a Paph spike will grow up and only need a bit of support if it starts getting top heavy
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-14-2012, 09:02 AM
Slobo Slobo is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Posts: 104
Q on spike Male
Default

Sorry I didn't mention that the flower spike is on phal. It's approximately 3" long right now and it grows horizontally.

Slobo
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-14-2012, 09:09 AM
Wjs2nd Wjs2nd is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 454
Q on spike Male
Default

You could start to carefully work the spike up. Put a stake towards the end of the spike, start to bend the spike up the stake, and very loosely tie it to the stake (use something like a wire-tie).
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-14-2012, 09:15 AM
Slobo Slobo is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Posts: 104
Q on spike Male
Default

Thanks for the advise.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-16-2012, 05:27 PM
Jennyfleur Jennyfleur is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Mersea Island, Essex
Posts: 1,323
Q on spike Female
Default

I use embroidery thread as it tends to be softer and doesn't cut it to the spike itself. You can then tie it loosely and gradually (if you put it a bow first) untie and reduce the gap between the spike and the stake. Just remember, be patient and careful - there are many of us on here who have broken spikes one way or another and have learnt the hard way! (for me, the one spike I've broken taught me not to constantly fiddle with the tie just after I getting back from work and so not concentrating properly!)
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-16-2012, 06:44 PM
Slobo Slobo is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Posts: 104
Q on spike Male
Default

Thanks Jenny,

Yeah, I heard so many times tender spikes have being broken.

I'll use wool tread to loosely tie down the spike and I'll be very careful handling it.

Slobo
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-16-2012, 11:56 PM
james mickelso james mickelso is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Oceanside, Ca
Age: 75
Posts: 3,463
Q on spike Male
Default

Anything solid put in the way of the spike will make it bend upright. A rock is what I use on stubborn phal spikes and cattleya buds. As soon as I see a spike starting to grow I put a rock in it's way. It can't grow through the rock so it has to change direction and grow up. Alternatively you can use a popsicle stick or a plant tag. Keep the object between the spike and the light. You can also use the bonsai technique of heating a copper wire on the stove, quenching it in water fast, and then wrapping the wire around the spike as it grows. I have made some interestingly shaped phal spikes grow in a sort of oriental twisting movement. Look up bonsai training on the net and you can see how easy it is to bend something with wire. A pair of needle nose pliers and some copper wire can make for some very iinteresting movement. But for symplicity just use a rock.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-17-2012, 08:23 AM
Slobo Slobo is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Posts: 104
Q on spike Male
Default

Thanks so much James. Interesting idea. I was thinking to rotate entire pot after I tied the spike so to let the spike grow toward the light.

Slobo
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
flower, spike, start, training, upright


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Oncididium Splendidum with unusually tall but unblooming spike tmvp Beginner Discussion 24 07-09-2013 06:22 AM
Thoughts on cutting a Phalaenopsis spike Val Beginner Discussion 10 04-18-2013 01:30 PM
Question re:new phal spike and old spike modernmissus Hybrids 3 11-07-2011 08:01 AM
Question re: phal spike modernmissus Beginner Discussion 5 10-20-2011 05:23 PM
Is it ok for a first spike on a Phal to keiki? myblue66stang Beginner Discussion 12 09-20-2011 07:14 PM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:31 AM.

© 2007 OrchidBoard.com
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.37 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.

Clubs vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.