flower spike training question

[garyorchids]

Hi all, WHOOP WHOOP ! I finally have 2 flower spikes coming from one or my many phals (i have 14 now), these are my first home grown spikes since i began keeping orchids last year.
My question is will the spikes naturally grow straight up, will they grow towards the light or will they need training with sticks and tend to grow towards the light. the spikes are about 3 inches long now, one is growinng straight up and the other is at about 45 degrees. i turn the plant to try to straighten the spike growths.
Are the spikes to be attached to sticks to train them fairly soon and when do switch from growing fert to flowering fert ?

Many thanks
Gary

[kmarch]

Those aren't flower spikes. They're roots. No need to be disappointed though. Good healthy roots are necessary for a good healthy plant and good flowering.

[Ron]

Hi Kevin is correct, they are roots.

To answer the question when you do get a flower spike
I place a small stake along side the flower spike and train it upright.
If it grows too tall I train it over in a inverted U shape when I see the first flower bud and at that point..
Best of luck
Ron

[garyorchids]

awwwww ! i was getting all excited for nothing then, allthough good roots and leaves are needed for good foliage. i have never had roots go near vertical before, growing side ways and out of the pot yes , vertical no, not until now, i was addament they were spikes !

never mind, with the knowledge i have obtained from this superb site all my phals are now very healthy and producind new growth. i'm sure that it is just a matter of time before spikes appear, perhaps when the days shorten i shall see spike growth.

thanks for all your help (yet again) and i will keep you all posted on new developments.

happy growing
Gary

[lmartiny]

Hey Gary and welcome. I've got some Phals. that grow crazy roots. I was drawn to this thead due to questions on trying to train a spike. Most times I let it go and do what it wants, but sometimes it would have been better to try to shape the direction of the spike. So I'm interested in input. I would think gentle, gradual training, which I may or may not have time to do.
For future reference, if a spike forms, it will have a bit more shape. The root is smooth, a spike has a "mitten" look. A term I learned here on geeks, which seems quite accurate when looking at a new growth and trying to decide. And, time always tells.

[Phalcycle]

Like others have mentioned, those are roots, not flower spike.
Flower spikes dont really come it gray color, nor with they a pointed tip like that, rather a mitten looking point

[mayres]

When you do get a spike - YES, they definately grow towards the light. You can shape them pretty much any way you like by turning them as they grow. Those of us that grow in homes usually end up with the spikes growing more sideways and down (unless you turn them and cause them to loop completely over the plant - which I've also done), whereas those with greenhouses or skylights can get them to grow more vertically. As others have noted, I rather like the graceful sideways cascade of blooms - looks rather more natural to me than the spikes that have so much vertical - but train as you like....

[busypotter]

I read an article about training spikes and it related to the fact of letting the spike grow till you see the the buds forming, then is when you should stake., for support. By doing this it will be a stronger spike, and flowers will keep their heads up. You can't believe all you read and then again you might.

[cowgirl]

I find as a rule that my Phals put out spikes in September/October when the nights are cooler. However, there are some that will flower in autumn/ winter.

[orchids4me]

Hi,
I'm excited for you because you may still get spikes!!! I've not yet had a Phal re bloom I'm getting the leaves and roots right now also..... Its a waiting game and making their environment just right for conditions to start spiking... (Day/night temp. Difference) which I've learned here. Listen to Mayers and Ron they are both pro's with Phals.
Emmaye

[garyorchids]

is this what i'm looking for. WHOOPEE !

[Ochin@]

Ah, now THAT's a spike! Congrats.

[kmarch]

There you go! Now you've got a spike. And now that oyu have one you can compare them and see the spike looks quite different from the root. And now to answer your original question:

Originally Posted by garyorchids

My question is will the spikes naturally grow straight up, will they grow towards the light or will they need training with sticks and tend to grow towards the light.

Your spikes will probably arch toward the light. If they are strong enough to hold themselves up you can just let them go or you can stake them (gently) if you wish.

[Luvlyhnezh]

Nice!!! Congrats Gary... you finally got the spike you wanted. Enjoy :-)

[garyorchids]

i've been bying orchids for over a 2 years now, i buy them in flower and have learnt how to care for them and give them what they need, mainly from the help and guidance i have recieved from this forum. this spring and summer they have flourished and all ( i have 21 now) have produced new growth and i i am confidant that most, if not all will re bloom this next year

this is my first home pruduced flower spike and as i have not labelled my plants the colour and size of the flowers will be awaited with eager anticipation.

i'm off to the garden center now to purchase some corse potting medium, garden center i visited last week had orchid compost but on inspection it was far to fine, almost soil like for my liking. a good corse medium is my prefference and my phals seem to like it.

i realixe i should have reppoted my phals buy now but needs must as i managed to purchase 5 phals from homebase in england for an amaxing £6.34, they had finished flowering and were getting cheaper and cheaper and dryer and dryer, due to a till error the cashier finally gave in, scanned another item on the till and said "£6.34, that'll do". RESULT ! 2 of the plants are giant 9 leaf orchidee aphradite ! if you live in england check out homebase for orchids, i happened upon a store with a good ( and cheap) selection. these plants are mostly in an old medium so i will repot them today.

i will keep you all posted on future spikes, flowers, photos etc in the exciting months to come.

happy growing and thanks again for your guidance