Staking a Dtps Spike? - Orchid Board

schwing · #1 09-21-2009, 12:59 PM

After two long years of nursing a Dtps Siam Treasure, it has finally thrown it's first spike. The spike is about 3" long and is going off at a 45-degree angle.

My question is ... should I try to stake the spike upright or should the spike be more pendant? I'm thinking it might just be "personal preference" but would like to keep with the plant's natural tendencies. I've grown plenty of phals, but nothing with Doritis in them.

I looked up the parents and they are:
Phal lowii X Doritis pulcherrima

Thanks for any advice!
-ken

RosieC · #2 09-21-2009, 03:00 PM

My Dtps has the flower spike staked just like my Phals.

As you say, it's personal preference but I think you can do whatever you would for a Phal.

Personally I would stake with a very loose tie so that it has the freedem to grow. Al (Bird-song-farm) suggested a loose loop of string, while we were talking about it on another thread and I think that's a good idea.

Of if you would rather go natural then I can't see why that would be a problem either.

greenbean · #3 09-22-2009, 01:40 AM

Like you thought, it depends. Doritis spikes naturally grow straight up, without staking, but Dtps, while usually more upright than Phals, tend to droop more both because of the tendancy of phal spikes to droop, and because the phals impart larger flower size making the inflorescence heavier.

I agree with Rosie's suggestion of a loose tie. This provides some support, so the flowers are up where you can enjoy them, while still allowing the inflorescence to display its natural grace. (at least for a potted plant. for mounted plants, letting them hang brings the flowers DOWN to you)

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #4 09-22-2009, 02:35 PM

While Doritis pulcherrhima may have spikes that are more upright growing and erect. Phal lowii does not.

Phal lowii has spikes that angle downwards and kind of sprawl.

schwing · #5 09-22-2009, 03:27 PM

That's what i was kinda wondering about. I remember seeing a Phal that's spike just rambled out of the pot. Wasn't sure if it was because it never got spiked or if it was just it's way. I think it was Phal. violacea.

JP020366 · #6 09-23-2009, 07:25 AM

Hi Ken

I'm no expert by any stretch, but I have a recent spike on a phal and it started at a very awkward angle. The spike will move towards the strongest light (usually a window) so someone advised to straighten it by moving the pot so the spike slowely straightens. So I positioned the pot so that the spike pointed away from the light and it then tended to bend towards the light and it's now directly upwards. You may have to move it several times.

I am now an about to stake it but may still move the pot around so the spike naturally stays up straight.

Perhaps Doritis is completely different and the above would be a waste of time.

Good luck anyway...

Cheers

John

greenbean · #7 09-24-2009, 01:57 AM

Rotating plants in spike will cause their spikes to adjust and you can "help" it grow straighter this way, but be careful. Once the buds appear, rotating will cause the buds to twist back towards the light as well. This can result in upside-down, sideways, or deformed flowers.

Personally, I keep my phals facing one direction. I used to rotate them 180 degrees while growing leaves to keep them upright, but they still wanted to flop and I've simply decided to let them grow as they want. Although the flowers usually face the window, I can still enjoy them and if I really want a good look at them, it's not hard to turn the plant around for a moment to get a better view.