Requirement to stake Paphiopedilum?

[thefish1337]

My only Paph is blooming for the first time and it has two blooms on the spike. Am I risking a break if I let these get to full size on the stem?

[Roberta]

Photo? For Paphs in general, it is better not to stake until the bud is opening (then adding weight to the spike) and only then if the orientation isn't what you want, The developing bud, in general, will orient itself correctly, and the stem will develop its optimum strength, if you just let it do what comes naturally for most of its development at least,

[Ray]

No worry about “extra weight” of multiple buds and flowers.

[WaterWitchin]

I only stake after they open up, and then only if I want to take a picture and it isn't cooperating with the way I want it to pose. Straighten those shoulders, Paphy, don't slouch!

[Paphluvr]

I find I have more problem with breakage when I stake than when I let things alone, especially on tender Phal. spikes. The only time I stake a Paph. is when they are drastically bent toward a light source. Some plants are more phototropic than others. Never had a Paph. spike break under its own weight.

[thefish1337]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Photo? For Paphs in general, it is better not to stake until the bud is opening (then adding weight to the spike) and only then if the orientation isn't what you want, The developing bud, in general, will orient itself correctly, and the stem will develop its optimum strength, if you just let it do what comes naturally for most of its development at least,

Okay, good to know. I'm a total noob to Paphiopedilums compared to Cattleya and I have no idea what I'm doing- I've been growing this one with basically the same care as my Cattleya for the past 2 years. I just saw the spike going out a bit horizontal and got worried.

[Roberta]

It will be fine... The flowers will orient themselves for good display - staking too soon may have them pointing at the ceiling or other odd direction. After they open, if you want to gently adjust the orientation of the spike you can, but you'll likely find that you don't want to.

[WaterWitchin]

I wanna see once it blooms! Name?

[thefish1337]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

I wanna see once it blooms! Name?

Not sure if the hybrid is named/registered yet.

Paph. bellatulum 'SVO' AM/AOS x Paph. Johanna Burkhardt 'SVO'

Bought it on a whim 3 years ago- once I got used to how slow these things grow I came to like it. The growth that is flowering now got a little floppy in November, so I re-potted in new media but the same size container. I read that the species in its background like it a little cooler and drier in the winter so I put it next to a little bit of a draft and that seemed to initiate blooms. I still don't really understand these things- none of the new growths have set roots and are vampiring the main growth...

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by thefish1337

Not sure if the hybrid is named/registered yet.

Paph. bellatulum 'SVO' AM/AOS x Paph. Johanna Burkhardt 'SVO'

Bought it on a whim 3 years ago- once I got used to how slow these things grow I came to like it. The growth that is flowering now got a little floppy in November, so I re-potted in new media but the same size container. I read that the species in its background like it a little cooler and drier in the winter so I put it next to a little bit of a draft and that seemed to initiate blooms. I still don't really understand these things- none of the new growths have set roots and are vampiring the main growth...

I'm no expert by any means, but I have eight or nine of them or phrags. I have several that do the same thing "vampiring the main growth" (love the description) and have not a clue why. It seems after time some start more roots down, and others are still just vampiring along. Perhaps someone knowledgeable could chime in with the why of that? Maybe something to do with certain hybrids? Because they don't all do it... just some. Great question!