Broken spike

[Hollie]

Hi, I have a lovely phal that has two new stems growing, one is fine and has several buds now, but the other sadly broke when I tried to clip it up to a stick - very annoyed with myself!!!
Ever since it has been dripping sap (about 6 days). Should I just leave it alone or is there anything I can do??

Thanks

[orchids4me]

Hi,
Didd it break all the way down by the leaves or up higher on the flower spike? You can take a pair of scissors and heat the blades on the flame of the stove to sterilize them and let them cool down a tad, cut the jagged break end off clean or if no buds on the spike cut it down an inch or so above where its grown from by the leaves and take a pinch of cinnamon powder and put it on the cut end to prevent infection. If its still seeping after that re cut the tip where the cinnamon is and take a regular candle (not the emergency type candles) and put a drop or 2 on the cut end to seal it. I'm not sure the wax will stick to the cinnamon on the end but if its seeping still you can try it first before re cutting. (Careful not to get the wax on the leaves it will burn a spot on them I've done it before I discoverd the cinnamon powder use.)
Good luck
Emmaye

[Hollie]

Thank you, i'll get the cinnamon out. It broke right down by the leaves, its dripping less today but i will definately put a bit of cinnamon on it.

Thank you

Claire

[Filb]

I would have to politely disagree about using candle wax on a plant wound.
Anything you do to completely seal off a wound from moisture and air is asking for infection. If there is any microorganism, specifically fungi living in the vicinity, it will relish in the newfound stagnant conditions and will most likely cause further problems.