Paph flower too heavy for spike- how to stake it?
 

I have an overall healthy Paph majestic fred that I bought several years ago in flower with a gorgeous, huge dark purple slipper. The past 2 cycles as it sends up a spike, ultimately the flower gets too heavy and ends up weighing the fleshy stem down to the point it crimps the stem and the stem shrivels up and the flower never blooms. I’ve tried to support it once I see this starting, but it’s always too late.

This one’s stem is very fleshy and doesn’t seem to harden. With the curving shape of the top of the stem I don’t know how best to stake it, and I’m afraid of damaging it myself.

Any tips for how I can stake it with enough support that the flower doesn’t weigh it down so much? It’s starting to send up a new spike now.

I’ll try to find a photo from the last disaster to illustrate

Here’s a photo- early spike then what happens as it grows

Tie to the stake gently as the spike emerges - it needs to droop a little or it will end up pointed upward in a weird way. I like the wire states with a half-loop at the top, so the spike just rests on it, isn't bound tightly. You want to support the weight, but give it the leeway to develop the way it wants to.

That sounds like one of those Feeed me blooms, watch out
I love the mottled look of that orchid , be nice to see the bloom.

Make sure it doesn't dry out completely when in spike. That can cause this.

Good point. Actually, Paphs should not ever dry out.

Yep. Lack of water.

howdy! to second what roberta said, i would put a stake in now just next to the base of the fan. caution on using a stake long enough...choose one you think is too long!! there is nothing worse than using a short stake and having to mess with it and swap out the stake when the bud is bigger and heavier!

then use a rubber plant wire, or bonsai wire, or a bread bag twist tie and secure it to the stake firmly, but make a simple open hook. gently place the flower spike on the hook and you are good to go. as it grows, gently move the hook up so it supports the flower about an in and a half below the bud. avoid completely surrounding the spike with the hook, you want it just holding the spike up....best of luck!