I don't normally stake my spikes. In this case, should i?

[LovePhals]

I am glad it will still bloom for you! Post when the flowers open! I love oncids, they just take up so much space!

[james mickelso]

The spike shown is just one of many spikes that would have come out except the main spike broke off. Oncids and their inter-generic cousins all get long multi-branched spikes. This side branch has become the main spike now and will produce numerous though smaller side branches now.

[My Green Pets]

You just can't keep a good spike down it seems!

[RJSquirrel]

its hard to find stakes long enough to really stake a spike like that...

I use wire that is left over from hanging ceilings( grid wire). Its tuff and you can cut it to the length you need. You can also bend it to keep the natural lean of the spike just reinforcing it.

You can keep your plants from tipping over if you put them into a larger clay pot and surround the plastic pot with rocks. You dont have to grow them like that when you are done but many times Ill just leave the pot in clay.

[Bulbofett]

Originally Posted by RJSquirrel

its hard to find stakes long enough to really stake a spike like that...

I use wire that is left over from hanging ceilings( grid wire). Its tuff and you can cut it to the length you need. You can also bend it to keep the natural lean of the spike just reinforcing it.

You can keep your plants from tipping over if you put them into a larger clay pot and surround the plastic pot with rocks. You dont have to grow them like that when you are done but many times Ill just leave the pot in clay.

I debated about staking it, but the spike is way too long and awkward now. I don't want it to detract from the aesthetic. I'm just going to let it do its thing. I also think one of the reasons the spike was saved was due to not being staked. It could have snapped the whole thing off due to the way it fell.

You know what's funny is that this plant was in a heavy clay pot. In fact, it broke 3 clay pots before I put it in this wide plastic one. We have strong coastal winds here in Charleston I guess.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Sorry that happened, but at least it is still going to bloom.

[tarev]

Wow! That is one long exciting spike! Will wait for the photos!!!

[Bulbofett]

Not very long now! Looks like it'll be yellow with brown spotting.

[Optimist]

I have a love/hate relationship with plastic pots. Now, from the get go, I put a plastic pot into a heavier ceramic pot. Even those need to be surrounded by rocks or bricks some times.

[camille1585]

A shame about the broken spike, but it looks like it's going to be a nice show anyway! I feel your pain about toppled plants and broken spikes, it's such a heart ache when it happens.