Help!!!

[Sara]

I was checking my phal this morning, and I found that the top inch of my 5" bloom stalk is broken! Not sure how it happened. Anyways, it isn't a complete break. It's still hinged on, and when you look at it, there is no way you could tell it was broken. So my question is, what do I do now!?

[Lucinda Brown]

Hi, I've had that happen but not yet with a phal. When the spike wasn't broken all the way through I used a spike clip[like the plastic dragonflies,etc.] to attach it at the broken point to a support stick,bamboo gro-stick and prayed! I used the clip like a bandaid, in other words, where it was hurt at and almost every time the spike still bloomed and did well. I hope this works for you too. Good luck!

[Sara]

Thanks! I will try that!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

The plant will probably start a new side branch on the spike, so hope for the best. I have had this happen on a non-Phal, and the side branch turned into a keiki, which made me very unhappy, as I needed to ID the species. Now I will have to wait another season, and who needs keikis of an unknown species. Cynthia

[atcrosby]

I had this happen on my large oncidium where the flower spike just grew too top heavy and folded over. I just added additional support and kept my fingers crossed. Luckily the flowers are still there and there are two more buds in the formation.

Tom

[jerrymeola]

I probably have had this happen with every species of orchid. All seem to do well with a split. I have broken too many Phals and they usually do just fine.