Supporting a new spike

[sweetlouisiana]

I just thought I'd post an update....I was so excited to get my spike, but then I broke it.....But it forgave me!!!!!!

[RandomGemini]

Nice!! Looking good!

[DeaC]

Originally Posted by sweetlouisiana

I feel so stupid! I was so proud of my new little spike...but then I went to water my plants this afternoon, and I snapped it off!!!!! I trimmed it back to a clean cut...but have I killed my little spike, or will it continue to grow? Thanks!

Believe me...you're not the first one to do that! I've knocked off buds and have humiliated myself many times but that's how we learn and mend our ways!(I'm not as wise as that sounds!) But I would use another support on separate spikes as you get them-not try to pull them together as the photo seems to show.

[My Green Pets]

Nice recovery! I would suggest using something soft like a piece of shoelace to tie up the spike. They are very soft and delicate when growing and something like a twist tie can injure the spike.

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by RandomGemini

Looks good.

You can stake the spikes, or not. A lot of folks just leave them. The only concern with the spike being left unstaked is that some phals put out huge blooms that weigh quite a bit, so they can cause the plant to tip out of its pot.

Totally. When a spike gets to around 6", I start spiking with little spikes. For me, esp with one source light, this helps the spike develop properly. I keep replacing the spikes with longer ones until buds emerge....and then I leave it.

---------- Post added at 03:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:53 PM ----------

Originally Posted by DeaC

Believe me...you're not the first one to do that! I've knocked off buds and have humiliated myself many times but that's how we learn and mend our ways!(I'm not as wise as that sounds!) But I would use another support on separate spikes as you get them-not try to pull them together as the photo seems to show.

U bet.....we are all human! Not SOFTWARE. Human=GOOD. And yes, separate supports for each spike.

[Optimist]

That is sad. I found that young little bits are tender and easily broken. I guess not enough fiber has formed. Kind of like you can eat bamboo shoots, but not bamboo.

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by Optimist

That is sad. I found that young little bits are tender and easily broken. I guess not enough fiber has formed. Kind of like you can eat bamboo shoots, but not bamboo.

Does this include giant pandas? Only the shoots?

[sweetlouisiana]

LOL..this is the best I can do to keep it growing up instead of out...It's a little janky looking, but I think the rubber bands are helping.

[DeaC]

Originally Posted by sweetlouisiana

LOL..this is the best I can do to keep it growing up instead of out...It's a little janky looking, but I think the rubber bands are helping.

Don't think rubber bands will do the trick. As the spike continues to grow,bands might be sticky enuf to not allow a straighter growth to achieve the look you want. Those twisty ties work for me when I put them on loose enuf to give direction and they can be adjusted easily

[james mickelso]

You can always use copper or aluminum wire to reposition a spike. I don't have the pics anymore due to a computer crash last year but I have used the wiring technique to good effect. I used to practice the art of bonsai and used the wiring technique to grow the spike in any direction I wanted to. I even had them bend back upon themselves. Of course to some of the orchid purists here that was akin to blasphemy. But it looked really cool. The larger flowered phals are prone to breakage if you are not careful. There can be so much weight that the spike breaks when all the flowers bloom. And don't be afraid to poke a small hole into a root. If you have good culture, the orchid will use a few swear words but all will be forgiven with flowers.