Wooden stakes with wire at one end

[mehitabel]

I am looking for those wooden stakes with wire at one end. The stake is used to secure the spike, and the wire is wound around the last one-third of the spike to shape it.

Norman's Orchids uses them.

I'm sure I've seen them offered, but can't locate a supplier right now. If you know what I'm talking about and where to find them, please let me know.

[solay]

I've never seen that before on orchids. The only thing like that I know of is for floral design/arrangements. It's used to keep them from drooping. I wonder if it's the same thing?

I'm sure someone will come along that knows.

[patticake]

It sounds like the floral designers picks. They come in many lengths. Most florists should have them. I get them sometimes at Michaels or A.C. Moore's crafts.

I've never seen them used for orchids, either. I would think the wire would damage the spike.

You could ask Norman's Orchids where they get theirs.

[jerrymeola]

Are you sure they were wire? They make stakes with a plastic type of 'S' shape that circles the flower without putting pressure on it.

Some growers like them, but they are expensive when you can use a twist tie and a plain stake.

[mehitabel]

Hey, Jerry. You don't need a PhD in Physics to recognize wire. Yes, it's wire. It doesn't damage the spikes because it isn't wound tight around the spike, just wide circles around the spike, but strong enough to support the flowers. I do marvel a little at the delicate touch it must take to do it without damaging the spike. Not sure really my 70year old fingers are that delicate any more, but I want to try

Patti and Solay: thanks for the tip about crafts stores or florists. I bet these spikes probably are what's used by flower arrangers. I will see if I can find them locally

[PhalPal]

I have seen the wire stakes with a loop at the end from lots of suppliers, but never wood with a loop. Try www.repotme.com to see if they have what you want; they are also very helpful and may be able to help you if you called them. Good Luck!!

[Brooke]

Try Tindara - they have all wire stakes with the loops on the end of a wire.

Brooke

[solay]

I looked in my floral supplies and found the stakes with the wire on it. I will post a picture of it later today when I get to work. Maybe that's what you are looking for.

[mehitabel]

Hi, everyone. Thanks for all the tries.

These are not the "phal" heavy wire stakes with a bent hook that Brooke and others mentioned.

These are wooden stakes with a thin, tough, straight wire about 6 or maybe 8 inches or so long sticking out of one end. This thin wire can be looped four or five times around the last third or so of a spike and bent to hold the spike in the position you want it in.

The wire is so tough it's hard to unbend and you have to cut it to remove it from the spike, and it's practically invisible on the spike because it's so thin.

I did check Tindara's, but I didn't see them there, tho they have nice long sturdy sticks.

I suppose I could drill a hole and stick a wire thru it, but it seems a lot of to-do when they are available for sale somewhere. Norman's Orchids uses them to support spikes, so they're out there.

I think the people talking about flower arrangement/craft stores are probably on the money-- it's the sort of thing you would use for flower arrangements, for sure.

Thanks anyhow, tho

[solay]

Here are the pictures. Are these the ones? I think they comes in different sizes.

[mehitabel]

THANK YOU for the pictures, Solay. That's exactly the type of thing I'm talking about, except that the wire comes from inside the stake, and it's not copper.-- it rusts when it gets old.

The wire is very tough and hard to bend, not soft at all.

Thanks so much for taking the trouble to help me out

[solay]

No problem. Hope you find it soon. If I see something like that I'll let you know.