Early Green Bulldog, my first of the season

[NYCorchidman]

It's a bamboo skewer that I got from a dollar store, although I think it was more like $2 or something. still can't complain. lol

Yes, I use them as my stake.
As much as I would love to have those thick bamboo stakes, I find them very difficult to push through the pot without hurting the roots.
Even with this much thinner "stake", I have very hard time with some pots which are packed with so many roots.

I hate staking, but with the bulldogs, it's almost a must or the spike will never stand up or even break off due to the heavy weight of the flowers.

Someone suggested that I put a stake at the time of repotting so I don't have to worry about puncturing the roots. I like the idea but I don't want to see the empty stake standing there year around.
Hmmmm
Oh, well...

[soobie]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Someone suggested that I put a stake at the time of repotting so I don't have to worry about puncturing the roots. I like the idea but I don't want to see the empty stake standing there year around.

How about putting in a piece of a drinking straw when you repot, cut just to the depth of the potting mix level? Then when it's time to stake, you can just slip a skewer or a bamboo piece into the straw.

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by soobie

How about putting in a piece of a drinking straw when you repot, cut just to the depth of the potting mix level? Then when it's time to stake, you can just slip a skewer or a bamboo piece into the straw.

That is a really good idea!

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by soobie

How about putting in a piece of a drinking straw when you repot, cut just to the depth of the potting mix level? Then when it's time to stake, you can just slip a skewer or a bamboo piece into the straw.

What an idea!
I should try that! Thank you!