phalenopsis growing in one direction, pulling itself out of pot

[janepots]

I recently repotted my 6 phalenopsis into bark medium in clear plastic pots. Some of them are pretty big and were already tending to grow in one direction, but I did center them in the pot. The problem is, that even though these plants all get moved around after every watering, 2 of the biggest ones are growing so much in one direction that they are almost starting to come out of the pot. One is especially bad because it has a huge flower stem that wants to go in that direction as well..
Should I be wiring them into the pot like a bonzai?
Thanks, Jane

[Bud]

pictures would be nice to help us help you better....

they go toward the light source....spikes must be guided by a stake so it rights itself as it opens the flowers....
Phalaenopsis in nature are not upright and centered. They follow gravity and the light; its good because the crown is not storing stagnant water that will invite bacteria and rot....and when you water it the crown dries itself fast(if it is toppling the pot then put it inside a heavy ceramic, glass or porcelain planter with hole at the bottom

[james mickelso]

Yes you can wire the orchid into the pot like bonsai. I would use twine that can decompose after the phal has rooted itself better. I also change the side of the pot that faces the light source every week. To tie into the pot just run the ends of the string or wire through the holes in the bottom of the pot. Tie u together under the pot.

[janepots]

So I switched to bark and went to clear pots because I read that I could see when they needed to be watered. As for the extreme tilt of the flower spikes, I have always just let them go sideways . I guess that is a real mistake with this one.
I do change the direction regarding light every week
I also read not to repot them until after they finish blooming and this guy still has another new spike.
So tying it down right now is not a good idea?
Anyway, making pots is not a problem as i am a potter. But I went for jardineres so that I didn't have to mess around with saucers and such
Cheers, Jane
tried to upload photos twice..wouldn't work
away for 6 days, will try agin later

[Oscarman]

Thin coated wire works well. Also what I have been using lately is the thin wire hangers you use for suspended ceilings to support the t-bar - it does not rust.

I prefer to have them oriented on an angle as they would grow in nature and as Bud said, it helps prevent crown rot. A rock in the bottom of the pot also help prevent tip overs.

[Bill U.]

I have had a similar issue with one of my mini phals. What I did was turn my phal 180 degrees so the side that it was growing away from was the side closest to my window. After about a month, my phal grew to "right" itself. I know you have the large phals, so this method may not be the best, but it might help if used in conjunction with wiring?

Lots of luck!

[Jayfar]

There seem to be 2 schools of thought as to whether to rotate the plants periodically or just let them do their thing. Lately I've just been letting them grow in one direction, but I'm still torn on this issue. Of course I've had to place small rocks as extra ballast on one side of some pots, as they otherwise tend to tip over when the medium is dry enough to need watering. A few of the largest are due for repotting and I'm hoping that when I set them in slightly larger pots I'll be able to at least reduce the tilt a little.

[janepots]

Thanks for all the responses.
Now I realize that my most lopsided plant is that way because of the huge flower spikes ( one huge old one and one shorter new one) that are leaning in one direction..
I really should say 'were' because when I just watered it, it pulled itself almost completely out, so it now has been re-centered and the spikes are going in opposite directions and balance has been achieved...at least for now.
Which brings me to the question; how far down the spent spike should I cut once the blooms are done. The one old spike was very long because I just cut it back to where the green part stopped and the dead part began.
Should I go lower in the interests of avoiding the top heavy problem?
Cheers, Jane

[bethmarie]

I used to cut spikes down to just above a node, because I'd read in several sources that phals can rebloom from the same spike if you cut them that way. The owner of Seagrove Orchids gave a talk at a recent TOS meeting, and she called that phal abuse, half jokingly. She recommended cutting the spike down at the base once it was finished blooming, for the plant's overall health . I've also read to put a little cinnamon on the cut part, to insure against bacteria or fungus entering. Bear in mind, I'm a newbie here, and in the learning stages. More experienced growers may advise you better.

[gardengirl13]

Funny, the one phal that I have that is doing this is in an east window and tilts away from the light. I try to rotate it and it won't budge. It wants to grow the way it wants. ha ha!

And I couldn't post photos until I hit 5 posts. That may be your problem with posting photos.