When do buds stop tracking light? - Orchid Board

greenpassion · #1 03-17-2018, 02:36 PM

I have a question that I have asked before but not quite as this specific. I know not to move my phals when they are spiking and beginning bud. Those who have looked at my recent pictures of all my blooming phalaenopsis, you can see the stage which many of them are in. The ones in the windowsill setup have many branched buds, and my question is if I were to turn them Two-Face the room where they would be much better showcased, would it caused screwy blooms at this point? I have a feeling it would be okay. I remember buying a supermarket phalaenopsis that still had buds to open. I brought it home and everything was fine. Now I feel silly. I think I've answered my own question. I want to showcase or individually photographs each of these when they are all finished opening.

Ray · #2 03-17-2018, 02:43 PM

I believe you did answer your own question.

Think about it: flowers serve to attract pollinators, which are more likely to be out in the open where the light is, than in toward the host tree. Once they are positioned right, it's a waiting game.

greenpassion · #3 03-17-2018, 02:45 PM

Thank you Ray. It's good to know it's for sure though from showing was more experience. Don't know if you saw the pictures but it's been a great season!

aliceinwl · #4 03-17-2018, 09:50 PM

One of mine seems determined to thwart me. I turned it to face the room when it was in full bloom, but while it was in bloom the spike started growing again but did a 180 degree turn so half the flowers on it face the room and half face the window.

greenpassion · #5 03-17-2018, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliceinwl

One of mine seems determined to thwart me. I turned it to face the room when it was in full bloom, but while it was in bloom the spike started growing again but did a 180 degree turn so half the flowers on it face the room and half face the window.

Hmm. Maybe you'll have a well rounded phal?

aliceinwl · #6 03-18-2018, 02:36 AM

It’s pushing a second spike, if I rotate it again when that one flowers, maybe the original spike will do a full 360

Dollythehun · #7 03-18-2018, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliceinwl

One of mine seems determined to thwart me. I turned it to face the room when it was in full bloom, but while it was in bloom the spike started growing again but did a 180 degree turn so half the flowers on it face the room and half face the window.

That same thing has happened to me.

greenpassion · #8 03-18-2018, 03:21 PM

Well, I've turned several and moved several around today. We'll see what happens...

camille1585 · #9 03-19-2018, 01:47 PM

I usually move my Phals to their display areas once most of the buds are open, and have rarely had problems with them. Maybe my plants are just better behaved than yours?

I do have one Phal that likes to send a few buds out in seemingly random directions, even if I didn't touch it at all. Most are facing the light, and here or there is a rebellious bud facing the opposite direction...

greenpassion · #10 03-19-2018, 08:58 PM

Mine actually haven't been misbehaving. I wanted to know if by moving them when they still have a few buds left to open would it screw them up. But also like you Camille, there were a few that opened up upside down or sideways when I have not touched them at all. Guess they just do what they want when they want! Gotta love em! So I've turned them around to face the room, and move some in two different positions. We'll see what happens...