Growing Sideways in the Pot

[sparklegirl46]

Hello, all - I have a question regarding getting a Phal to grow upright.

My Phals are on my lanai, with a western exposure (I have no other choice in this). They are in spike now, but my question is regarding their growing sideways toward the strongest light.

Is there any hope of getting them to orient upright after they have finished blooming? My condo only has an east/west exposure, but the east is not an option as palm trees block the sun. It is also in my kitchen, where there is no room for the plants.

Thanks for your consideration.

[PaphMadMan]

When you repot you may be able to place them in a more upright position. That will vary in success depending on what shape the plant has taken on. After that, turn them every couple weeks to put a different side toward the brightest light. That may keep them developing more evenly. There's really nothing else you can do.

[Paul]

While you can always make the endeavor, as Paphman mentions, it may be an exercise in futility. In the wild, they typically do not grow upright. Many actually grow with a more downwards orientation.

[bil]

If you keep rotating the pot, won't that affect the spike orientation?

[sparklegirl46]

Thanks for the replies. So if they continue to grow sideways, how do I stake the spikes as they grow? Right now, two of the plants have stakes right at the edge of the pot. As the leaves grow out, next winter, the spikes would be staked outside the pot!

Should I repot those in larger pots over the summer?

[bil]

Originally Posted by sparklegirl46

Thanks for the replies. So if they continue to grow sideways, how do I stake the spikes as they grow? Right now, two of the plants have stakes right at the edge of the pot. As the leaves grow out, next winter, the spikes would be staked outside the pot!

Should I repot those in larger pots over the summer?

I pot mine in large pots full of just fir bark, with ventilation holes in the sides. I would love to get pots that were about 35 cm in diameter, but only 10 cm deep MAX.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Most of mine grow upright but I have a couple that are perpetually catty-wampus. No matter what I do to straighten them, soon they return to reaching sideways over the edge of the pot. I'm sure it is the genetics of the plant.

[Jungeoma]

Bil, try Azalea pots, they are usually wider than high, they also have good drainage.

[bil]

Originally Posted by Jungeoma

Bil, try Azalea pots, they are usually wider than high, they also have good drainage.

Thanks for that, I'll have a look. Someone else suggested bulb pans, but again, they are limited in diameter, and still not shallow enough.

4 inches is as deep as I want to go, and tbh, there is a complete gap in the market. I can get pot and planter saucers that are about two inches deep, and I think will do nicely for Catts and some seed trays that might be OK for my hardcane dens, but those are all 2 - 3 inches deep. I worry that the phals will tip ove, and there just isn't the room to weight such a shallow dish.