Staking multi-floral Paphiopedilum

[Fiona]

What is the best way to stake multi-floral paph's, e.g. Pinocchio, Delophyllum? Should you replace the stake every month or two when the flowering spike lengthens, or do you start off with a tall stake? To show them, where should the tip of the spike end? Which ties are considered the best? How many ties/clips on a 60cm Paph Pinocchio stem? At the moment I am using one of the green, painted bamboo stakes. Is this a bit too thick, should I rather use something thinner?

[dounoharm]

i had a phrag that went to 42 sequential blossoms...and i just kept adding longer stakes till there just werent any long enuf....the plant seemed to carry them all just fine tho....it was a phrag living fire (sorcerers apprentice x bessae) very pretty blossoms

[Fiona]

Thank you, I think I must just look around for some thinner stakes.

[tuvoc]

I use those thin bamboo skewers used for grilling. They're about a foot long, sharpened on one end, and quite durable.

Kim

[Fiona]

They are nice for the shorter flowering stems. Am going into town tomorrow, will stop of at local hardware store to see what I can come up with. Thanks Kim

[tuvoc]

Fiona, I remembered something else I use. If you can find the wire used to hang suspended ceilings, it works great for the really tall stems. It can be cut to just about any length, can be bent and shaped anyway you need, and isn't very thick.

Kim