4 of 5 Phals with new spikes. What to do?!?!

[Shikitita]

Hi everyone!

How are you all doing?

It has been a few months since I popped around here as my orchids have been doing pretty well so far. Mainly thanks to your advice.

Basically, we moved to a new place at the end of August, which really worried me as it probably would stress the orchids out or something. I placed them on the windowsill in the kitchen, even if that meant not being able to see them all the time. It faces North and we have no buildings in front of it, so plenty of light (and humidity) for my babies at least!

After cutting off their spikes round at the base (I already asked about this around July), they have been growing like mad since we moved here! New roots, new leaves... I barely recognised them!

And now 4 of the 5 phals I have are growing new spikes!!! In only 3 weeks they have grown more than 3 cms!!!

Now my question is... What do I do? I know I have to attach them somehow to the guides so they won't grow "horizontally", but I also know it's not good to put the guides in the soil just like that as it may damage some roots. Any tips or advice? Would I have to repot them so I can put the guides without any risk of damage?

I am so excited I hope they keep growing this well!!! Just need my favourite one of the 5 of them to start growing a spike as well, and I'll be the happiest person in the world!!! ^_^

[cbuchman]

Looking good. The last picture is a root . I find that that it's helpful to guide the spike when it is still young and flexible. I also find that adding the stake reminds me to be careful of the emerging spike and not break it off! Initially the stake will be longer than the spike....

For me, I usually use a 6"-8" stake so that when all is done, the inflorescence will arch. That's just my preference. I don't worry too much about the roots when placing the stake, though obviously I don't try to pierce any roots either.

Good luck & Congratulations on the r-ebloom!

[reliablefool]

With staking you don't want to do it right at the edge because usually that's where many roots are present. I tend to stake 1/2" to 1" in from the edge of the pot and try to avoid the roots that are there (you're bound to hit something but there are usually fewer roots in this area). Oh wait, you're not in the US...umm...1 to 2cm then.

Originally Posted by cbuchman

Looking good. The last picture is a root .

I'm pretty sure the little nubbin right under the root is the spike that is being mentioned, but I could be wrong.

[Shikitita]

Thanks for your help!

By the way, it actually is a spike. Maybe a picture taken today, only a week later from the other one, will help now.

They are growing so fast!!!

[orchidsarefun]

many phals, especially the mini-phals, do not need to be staked. You should try it with one or two - you may prefer it. The stems are strong enough to support the blooms.

Some of the species and primary hybrids do have "ugly" spikes though - they almost grow out horizontally. Those are sometimes staked for vertical presentation.

BTW - it will be interesting to see - especially in your UK weather - whether a North facing window will provide sufficient light for your phals.

[chidlove]

Congrats on the spikes!

[Shikitita]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

BTW - it will be interesting to see - especially in your UK weather - whether a North facing window will provide sufficient light for your phals.

Yes, I know. But trust me, way better than before...

In my previous place I had the sole use of a bedroom and a living room. The bedroom had an East facing window, but not appropriate for the orchids to be there coz of the lack of space and having the window right on top of a radiator. The living room had West and North facing windows. They fitted much better where the West one was, but with the sun facing there for over 5 hours a day, it was a nightmare, apart from the room being always too hot and dry. I couldn't grow them properly there, so I decided to put them where the North window was (not great as my bf's desk was there and they barely had any space, but better than nothing). It changed things and they started to grow much happier and to give me lots of roots.

Where we are living now, the kitchen is not cold nor hot, and as they are next to the window (not touching the glass, tho) but with the sink under them, they have the right amount of coolness and humidity. Their roots are always thick and nice looking, and their leaves are perking up as well and more straight than before, which is a good sign.

The leaves are always facing the window, so most of them can beneficiate from the light. I know the weather here is not great, but like I said before, there's no buildings on that side at all, so even if it is the clouds reflecting the light, it's already a good place for them in comparison from before. If that wasn't the case, they wouldn't be growing like that, would they?

[orchidsarefun]

my apologies - I thought you were in the UK, but I see you are in Spain. Well that makes all the difference, reflective light is good too and you will have lots of that !

[Shikitita]

Oh no, I live in the UK, but I come from Spain. xD I probably should change that to avoid confusion...

Sorry about that!!!

If something I've learnt from the UK is that, even if it's cloudy, a bit of sun will be reflected in the clouds and make the light even stronger... Or, like we say in Spain, "you know it's about to rain because the sun is rainy, it basically is too strong and hotter than normal".

Anyway, give me a few more weeks and I'll show you how the girls are doing.

[orchidsarefun]

in Zimbabwe - where I am from originally - we had a tongue-in-cheek expression that October is suicide month because it is so hot. Having been through a UK winter, the joke is that the UK has about 4 months of suicide month because the weather is so dreary/dismal.