Staking a flower spike

[BunnytheOrchid]

Hi all!

I normally wouldn't consider staking my phal's new spike because I'm afraid of injuring a root, but it has grown considerably in the past few weeks and I imagine it will be very large, if not finished, by this summer. I travel back and forth from here to Southern California when school is out, so I think I'll need a support stick for the spike while driving and transporting them 7 hours. So, my question is does anyone here know the best technique or any tricks of staking? I have attempted to put the stake on the outside of the pot, but this leaves it very precarious and I don't want it fall down and damage the spike or orchid. Should I not be as careful about injuring the roots? Its my first re-spike so any and all info is appreciated. Thank you wonderful orchid growers!

[norris]

I feel the same way about damaging the roots, so if I want a stake, I put it in when I'm repotting then fill mix around the stake and the plant.

[Anton]

I use a pointed stake and slowly rotate it as I gently push it down into the potting mix.

By rotating the stake while pushing down, any roots will be pushed aside. If you push down hard then you may damage roots.

[pikevi]

I think Anton' suggestion is very good. I use pointed stakes too but, unfortunately, I don't see them in sizes that are more than 30-40cm.

If I need longer stakes, I use bamboo sticks after tapering the thicker ends with a knife or a blade. And as Anton said rotating the stake is important and if there is some resistance or a 'soft block' in going down I move the stake to another spot.

Personally I prefer them not to be staked but some inflorescences are more than 60cm (2 feet) and hence require staking for reasons of safety and space

[Anton]

Pikevi, what I have done is to buy thin dowells and sharpen them with a childs pencil sharpener, one of those that have a small and large size in the one unit.

[pikevi]

Thanks Anton.

Does it mean it is a 2-step process: 1) make the hole with the sharpened dowel and 2) then drive the stake into the hole?

Good idea though. Some bamboo canes can be a pain to sharpen.. too hard.

[Hummer344]

I use bamboo sticks for all my plants. I use a pair of clippers and cut the soil end off at an angle, leaving it sharp. Tie up the the spike, i use the wire thats coated with plastic and cut off the excess with clippers. Twisting it as it goes in is a good idea. Will start using that method

[articuno75]

I use the "Dip" method. What I do is fill a pot or tub full of water just enough to cover a potted plant to the rim. It'll make the medium "float". Then I put the stake or stakes where I need them and tie or clip them in place. Then I lift the pot out of the water. Ta da. Medium settles back down and surrounds the stakes and holds everything in place perfect.

[Anton]

Another way is to get thick wire, again rotating it as you push it gently down.

Paint the wire a dark green first, then insert it. That way it is almost invisible and matches the influorescence, and is quite aesthetically pleasing. If need be you can bend or twist the wire to better support the influorescence.

I do this to plants I am showing at our club, makes the judges happy if the support is inconspicuous, I am sure Kevin will agree from a judge's perspective.

[BunnytheOrchid]

Thank you for the suggestions. I like the idea of the pointed stake; if its tapered then hopefully I'll be able to ease it in the mix better. I also like the floaty method I just hope I don't make the mix float away! Before I start anything though, I assume the consensus is that it will need to be staked? I had a thought today that MAYBE I could get away with not staking it, but I assume that's wishful thinking. The spike wouldn't be able to handle a car trip without support would it?

Thanks again guys! Everyone here always helps me out a lot!!