Do you prop your orchid up if the leaves are top heavy?

[tasha]

Do you leave your orchid alone or prop it up to help stabilize it in a pot if it is top heavy and leaning to one side of the pot? The root system in my phal is not large since I just got it, and recently repotted. but the leaves are huge and leaning to one side (because its trying to reach where the light is. Do you prop it up somehow like with string or something or just leave it alone? I just dont want it to fall over.

Thanks all!

Tasha

[Bulbopedilum]

Pics? I'm guessing the plant is leaning.
Usually I just put some extra media to hold it in the center. You don't need to, but it just looks nicer.

[Leafmite]

If the orchid is not stable in the pot, I either wire the orchid into the pot, stake it, or a combination of both. Roots grow better if the orchid doesn't move around in the pot. Good luck!

[estación seca]

Phals naturally grow leaning to one side. In nature they grow with the leaf pair dangling downwards. Water doesn't stay in the crown this way.

When people repot, they usually try to point the plant at the ceiling, but as it grows it leans sideways.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Phals naturally grow leaning to one side. In nature they grow with the leaf pair dangling downwards. Water doesn't stay in the crown this way.

When people repot, they usually try to point the plant at the ceiling, but as it grows it leans sideways.

Agreed. I actually plant my phals sidewise on purpose.

[DeaC]

There are rhizome clips sold online made for clay and plastic pots used to stabilize freshly potted orchids. They come usually in 2 different lengths and made of metal. Even if you don't use them for phals, they come in handy for other orchids IMO.

[tasha]

Thank you all for the tips!

From the you tube videos ive seen, it looks like my orchid is a little too big for a rhizome clip

I think i might leave it alone. It hasn't grown any new roots yet.

[Mountaineer370]

When I repot an orchid, I will do my best to stand it up straight in the pot, with the full understanding that it will do as it wishes over time. As mentioned, Phals do tend to want to lean over to one side as they grow. I have, in the past, used a stake in the pot, not attached to the plant in any way but simply propped up against the leaning side, just to give it stability. Mine are in plastic pots, so tipping over is a possibility, but if it was leaning too much and I wasn't ready to repot, I would consider putting the plastic pot inside a heavier clay or ceramic pot. When I first started with orchids, the leaning used to bother me, but I don't worry about it anymore. It's quite natural and I've gotten used to it.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Phals naturally grow leaning to one side. In nature they grow with the leaf pair dangling downwards. Water doesn't stay in the crown this way.

When people repot, they usually try to point the plant at the ceiling, but as it grows it leans sideways.

What e.s. said. And with Phals I don't try to correct it.

If you have tall plants like Cattleyas that want to tip over, IMO best solution is staking, and weight (rocks) in the bottom of the pot.