Phal spikes directions and the usefulness of t5's

[greenpassion]

I have a number of questions here about my phalaenopsis spikes. I have a V3 that is in my East window you will see the pics, and I know that the spike is moving towards the glass. I have a T5 light fixture hanging above the plant. And no time at all is going to be taller than where the plant light is hanging. I would like to be able to either turn the plant so that the swipe will end up maybe going straight up or move it underneath my other lights set up, where the lights are 4 feet away and won't be in the way of any tall spikes. I think I would have to swap this v3 out with my double branching spiked orchid that is under my LED lights. I call this one twin towers. She is ready to open her buds any day now. Is this whole thing a bad idea? And just as importantly is this T5 jumpstart light that I have hanging in front of the Eastern window even doing any good actually? I hung it there as supplemental lighting. But I don't really know if it's of any use. It's an in an Eastern window as I said. And the T5 hangs about 15 to 16 above. The smallest orchids. I think I'm going to have to retry the photos when it's not so sunny outside the window.

[estación seca]

The snow is beautiful to look at from a distance.

It's not a good idea to turn plants with respect to the light when spikes are that far advanced. They will change their direction of growth and snake in strange sinuous curves.

Rather, stake them as the grow. When they are done growing, and the flowers are opening, you can turn the plant in the direction you wish. But even buds can decide to change the direction they face if you turn the plant before they open.

Choose a stake that you think will be taller than the eventual height of the spike. Clip the spike as it grows so it continues upright. If you decide at some point it would be fine for the spike to bend outwards, stop clipping as it grows.

And be sure to show us all the beautiful flowers you've grown.

[rbarata]

And be sure to show us all the beautiful flowers you've grown.

In spite of all the low humidity issues you're having.

[greenpassion]

Thank you ES. Do you think I can get that T5 grow light out of the way though? My feeling or realization rather is that the plants are actually benefiting from the light from the window not the T5 bulb. What do you think?

[Dollythehun]

Can't you just raise it?

[greenpassion]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Can't you just raise it?

Yes I guess I could raise it. But my question is is it necessary at all? I think some of my other house plants around it might be benefiting but I'm not sure about the orchids. To raise it is quite a task as well. I have to take down the curtain in the rod clip the chords well anyway it's not a simple thing.

[estación seca]

I would guess what's coming in through the window is stronger than the light. I would try to figure out a way to get the spike out of the way of the T5 but not change the light incident angle.

[greenpassion]

This is how I just staked the Twin Towers. I know it looks really odd but the reason I did it is because the two spikes we're running into each other in the flowers would have been all screwed up. So the fuzzy sticks separate them and also keep them up right.

[greenpassion]

It's infuriating to take pictures and send a message and then your finger touches some random thing on the phone and you have to do it all again. Anyway this is a pic of the V3 but the spike is so fat that I'm going to have to go get different clips.

[greenpassion]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I would guess what's coming in through the window is stronger than the light. I would try to figure out a way to get the spike out of the way of the T5 but not change the light incident angle.

Well if I can keep the spike up right going up that stake, I should be able to have it avoid the light fixture. It's so much easier blooming my phals underneath my LED lighting in the kitchen living room. The lights are 4 feet away and I have plenty of room!