So many in spike but where to find Stakes?

[Roberta]

For staking spikes, I don't think that rot will be an issue with the skewers. In a couple of years they might rot, but the spikes won't last that long... and you don't want to re-use them, since they can't be thoroughly cleaned - you would not want to risk transmitting disease from one plant to another for the price of a wood skewer that costs pennies. So consider them disposable.

[Chris17]

You can find small wooden green stakes in the floral section of hobby or craft supply stores.

[estación seca]

You live surrounded by nature. I bet there are a lot of downed small twigs and branchlets. You can leave them twiggy and use the multiple small twigs to support the bloom spikes.

[greenpassion]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer370

No, it's not a silly concern, it's a legitimate question. I have used the wooden diffuser reeds that are used for scented oil, not for staking flower spikes but as the "skewers" for determining when to water. Yes, they do eventually degrade and soften up and get to a point where I simply replace them, but it takes many months. Something like a kabob skewer is going to be a thicker diameter and will last even longer, I think, probably plenty long enough for the average Phal. spike that's in bloom.

Please forgive me. I am so angry at myself for getting this new phone. It's really distracting me from what I'm trying to get at in this forum. These phalaenopsis since the word recognition won't understand p h a l s. Are in bloom for a 7 to 10 months. And that is my concern about rotting St akes. Wow I'm definitely returning this phone tomorrow. Or after the snow storm anyway that is my concern. And I'm so upset about this stupid phone which is my only computer, but I so appreciate everyone's input and I'm going to have to go through it all tomorrow or the next day to respond.ugggggh!

[fooferdoggie]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I had not thought of the chop sticks rotting as I use red lava rock for everything. Bamboo is a much better idea.

chopsticks are usually made of bamboo.

[Merita]

And if you do not put stakes, what can happen? I have many phals that are with spikes of different sizes and I would like to see them bloom without stakes, what do you advise me?

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by greenpassion

Please forgive me. I am so angry at myself for getting this new phone. It's really distracting me from what I'm trying to get at in this forum. These phalaenopsis since the word recognition won't understand p h a l s. Are in bloom for a 7 to 10 months. And that is my concern about rotting St akes. Wow I'm definitely returning this phone tomorrow. Or after the snow storm anyway that is my concern. And I'm so upset about this stupid phone which is my only computer, but I so appreciate everyone's input and I'm going to have to go through it all tomorrow or the next day to respond.ugggggh!

If it's an Android phone, the word recognition depends on the phone connecting to Google servers to do the work. If you don't have a connection it does its best, but doesn't do a very good job.

If you got a phone and did not program in your previous Google account information, it needs to rebuild your word recognition profile from scratch. If you did put in your previous Google account it should be able to use your old profile and should have as good word recognition as before. Is there a different phone case? Anything near the microphone? Are you wearing anything that might muffle your voice?

---------- Post added at 09:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:51 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Merita

And if you do not put stakes, what can happen? I have many phals that are with spikes of different sizes and I would like to see them bloom without stakes, what do you advise me?

Merita, spikes on Phals without stakes tend grow sideways, or even down from the plant. This is also beautiful. But most people stake them upright to make them easier to see.

[greenpassion]

The primary reason that I stake my orchids upright is for space. I do love the way they look when they can just gracefully spike out to the sides and down, but I just don't have the room with so many in my growing area.

[greenpassion]

Not to beat a dead horse here, but what about bonsai wire? or some heavier gauged wire that I could cut to length? If I used the wooden skewers I'd want to dip the ends in wax maybe to 'water proof' the part that goes into the bark.

[Dollythehun]

Lowe's: piano wire. Cut to length.