Droopy Paph spike
 

I'm not that great of a Paph grower. Actually, quite terrible until the OB helped me along. So now I'm getting a spike! Yeah! :cheer:

It seems to be kind of droopy. :( Nothing in my culture has changed while the spike emerged and developed. The plant and spike seem pretty healthy (no shriveling or wilting), but the spike doesn't want to stand up. I know lots of people normally stake everything, but I like the natural effect so I rarely do. Do any of you find Paph spikes to be flimsy? Do they always need to be staked?

Thanks in advance,

What kind of Paph is it Royal? Some Paph spikes are more brittle than others, so be very very careful if you do decide to stake. I know some start out droopy looking but straighten up as they mature. My liemianum is like that.

some paphs in the brachypetalum do that. especially the bellatulum

My spicerianum is like that. It also starts off droopy, with the spike very thin and the immature bud(s) lying on top of the foliage. At some point, usually about halfway through its growth, the spike stiffens up and suddenly it's able to hold up the bud on its own. I usually just let it do its thing and don't try to stake it.

I usually start cliping mine to a metal stake as the spike emerges. Paph spikes are known to break off if not done correctly. I use the "dragon fly" hair clips sold commercially (but any style will work). They seem to work for me.

It's Paph Vinter's Treasure 'York' x Paph Black Zebra

I don't know that much about it except it must be hard to kill -- I've put it through the ringer. I'll try to post a pic when I can.

Start clipping it to a spike or stake.

short floppy spikes like bellatulum are exactly what I thought too. Its just they're nature to be short and almost semi pendant. But neither of the parents here have any bellatulum breeding in them. Ross is right though. Start staking her up, better now than later.