Macodes petola Collapsing

[wwinstanley]

Hi All,

I have had a Macodes petola for a few months now, seemed to be rather healthy. It started off just an inch or two tall with 3 leaves. It has since shot up to maybe 7 inches in height with small new leaves coming through on the upper/new part of the stem.
However it has started to collapse and won't stand on its own, I have it propped against another pot just to keep it upright.
Its growing in a mix of potting soil and sphagnum moss, which is moist but not soaking.

Any ideas on how I can rescue it?

I will get a photo later today

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Is it merely falling over, or is the stem damaged? The growth spurt probably means it is about to flower. They send up a stem with progressively smaller leaves, then the flower spike at the end. If it's not solidly rooted and supported it might fall over. In nature they grow in fairly thick leaf litter so the stems have more mechanical support.

[wwinstanley]

The stem isn’t damaged, just seems very soft/flexible close to the bottom where it’s bending.
You’re right it has started to flower at the top.
The very base seems well supported in the litter, it’s about 10mm up where it’s starting to bend.

[estación seca]

I would just stake it.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Same thing happened to mine. I did as Es suggested and staked it up