What's my Phal doing?

[Bird Song Farm]

I vote spike, congratulations!!

If you stake it at this stage be very careful. They snap like a twig at this stage.
Al

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by Bird Song Farm

I vote spike, congratulations!!

If you stake it at this stage be very careful. They snap like a twig at this stage.
Al

Yes Al is right, I should have said that.

[Bird Song Farm]

Originally Posted by RosieC

Yes Al is right, I should have said that.

Hi Rosie,
I seldom stake my spikes. I like them to do the natural thing. When I do stake, I do it as if I was training a bonsai. Put the stake in, loop a piece of soft string (I use floral tape) around the spike and stake and pull the spike to the stake just a little bit. A couple of days later I'll tighten the string/tape just a bit tighter, a couple of days later pull the spike a bit closer to the stake. Keep doing this until the spike is where you want it.
This works quite well, you just need to go slowly and have patience.

I never use the clips......especially on new spikes! They can injure a spike so quickly if you don't take extra, extra care.


Al

[RosieC]

Good idea Al,

I only use loose clips on growing spikes, never the ones which grip tight. The ones I have are figure of eight shape and grip tight on the stake with a loose loop arround the spike.

I like your idea of string that can be made just the right length though, I think I will start doing that.

[Bird Song Farm]

Rosie, you will have to keep moving the string/tape up the stake/spike as it grows. You'll get the hang of it as soon as you try it.
AL

[RosieC]

Thanks Al, that's what I do with the loose clips as well. The advantage of the string is that I won't have to force it closer to the spike than it really wants to go.

I've never broken or badly damaged a spike, but I have caused 'scrap' marks on it from trying to force it too far.

Thanks again for the great idea.

[camille1585]

I don't even bother to stake mine unless the blooms are so heavy that they threaten to snap the spike. And they look nicer if they look more natural, especially for phals that tend to grow spikes that go out horizontally.