shaping the phal spikes

[joan gero]

I just got a NOID phal as a gift... it's a pretty thing that might be a mini-phal (no tag). But strangely the three spikes, all in bud, go out from the main stem in completely different directions... looks like a scarecrow! My old phals grow on window-sills and point their spikes in the same direction, toward the light. How did these get so wild? Do some people like the spikes to be straight out like this? Can anyone please advise how I can shape them nicely????

THANKS

[kmarch]

Well this is amusing. I've never seen a Phal with a spike growing in the shape of a cross like this. Did the Pope bless it or something? It's not unattractive....a little unusual...somewhat amusing but not unattractive so if it were mine, i'd let it do what it's doing. I'd be very reluctant to try to train spikes that are this far along. they've already set.

Please post a pic of it once its all open. I bet it will be a nice display.

[rmt135]

It has a head, 02 hands & legs. All it need now is a few fingers. Please post a picture when it appears.

[exasperatus2002]

Seems like your Phal has found religion!! I like it. Nothing wrong with it unless your aethiest, if so then think of it like a scarecrow or a stick figure person and have fun with it!

[mayres]

My guess is that this phal was allowed to develop in a greenhouse with the primary light source coming from straight overhead - possibly even metal halides? As you have noted, had it had a light source off to the side, as in most home environments, it would have all bent towards the light. As has already been noted, once the length of each spike or subspike has totally grown it will/would be difficult to coax it into a different position(s). If you had a long stiff wire(s) you might be able to slowly over the course of a week or two influence it somewhat - VERY SLOWLY - a fraction of an inch per day until it had the shape you desire. With this procedure you might get the spikes themselves somewhat bent but the flower buds still might be opened every which way if they are already directed.

[Vivienne]

Bless it's heart... perhaps it wants to be a tree! It's definitely interesting. Can't wait to see it in full bloom.