How long should it be?

[Martine]

Hi Everybody!
I was just wondering how long a new phal spike should be before you stake it. Thanks!

[lmartiny]

I don't think it is how long really, but how stable it is and if it is in need of the support. There was a recent thread where someone staked it while still quite tender and it got damaged. I am sure someone with more experience will pipe in with some advice.

[amersault]

yeah, that was my post -

accidently snipped the spike (!!!)

i was gutted when i did that... so now i'm left w/ a short stalk w/ one node... and no flowers

to answer your question, you can begin considering staking it while pliable, but do so very carefully. otherwise, it might be more prudent to wait a week or so until the spike is a little sturdier and then gently train it to the stake.

use something soft to tie the spike to the stake, like say raffia or just do a figure-8 w/ twist ties very loosely. if you can get a hold of soft insulated ties even better.

[Ron]

Hi Martine.
I stake mine only if needed, i usually let them grow up and they then "seem" to have a natural tendency to arc forward. I just let them do this.
If they are the very tall, 3 feet + variety's, I have been placing a stake along side the spike and when it gets to the first bud level or the last node level. .
I then bend the stake down in a big arc and very slowly bend the spike down along the wire.
I use a lot of loose ties to hold and follow the arc down.
Best part of the day to do all this is about 1pm to 3 pm when the growth is very "supple" ! (or softer).
It usually works but do not force it when the weather is cool/cold as it will snap.
the Photo is of one my friend did.
I am learning this from him as he has more plants to train on and snap off.
Best of luck
Ron

[amersault]

Originally Posted by Ron

Best part of the day to do all this is about 1pm to 3 pm when the growth is very "supple" ! (or softer).
It usually works but do not force it when the weather is cool/cold as it will snap.

i didn't know there was an optimal time for this! things we learn on Geeks

[Martine]

Thanks, Ron! And great pic, by the way!

[Ron]

Hi.
I also grow a lot of Cymbidiums.
They are the fun one to train the flower spikes on .
Sometime they shoot straight out of the bulb at right angles and you have to train them to go upright.
Again I snapped a few off before it became easy to do.
Just do it at the "right time"
here is a photo of my first attempt to bend the flower spike to shape.
I took the wire of after all the flowers were set.


Cheerio
Ron

[kmarch]

When I lived and showed orchids in Michigan we had these cool heavy duty wire plant stakes that came in about 3 or 4 different lengths that just had a bent-over "U" shape at the end. You could just stick them in the pot and place the spike that needed support in the "U" shaped end. There was no tieing or twisties, just the support. They were super cheap to at the nursery I'd buy them from, something like 12 for $1 or somethign like that. I bet they'd be easy to make too. In about 5 years of growing and showing there I never once mangled a spike with one.