opinions on staking spikes

[peteMc]

I'm curious about staking habits; do you support all your spikes or let them do as they will? Are there genera for which it is necessary for the survival of the spike? anybody got a rule of thumb?

i've got spikes growing on a Brsda. and i'm liking the curve the oldest one is taking, but don't want to lose it to it's own weight - it looks to have approx 15 to 18 buds on a 1 1/2 ft spike, but it's not done growing out yet.

any thoughts would be appreciated.

p

[uncasteeb]

I only use spikes when i really have to.
I let the spikes form naturally & may use a support when it starts to bend to much under it,s own weight.
Phal hybrids i stake as i tend to move them about(even to a different house) but never before the first buds have formed.
Paph chamberlainianum has over a 24" spike now(on flower number 13) & the spike cannot support itself at all.
I try to leave my Onc,s with no stakes but they can get heavy spikes which start to bend to much.
I left my Oncidium Cleo,s Jungle unsupported even though the spike was about 36" & was fine until the flowers started to open & then the spike started to really bend under the weight so i had to spike.
I mainly stake them so that it,s more difficult for me to accidentally snap them.

[orchidaddict789]

I like to stake all my orchids (phals, oncs, and some dends). I know sometimes spikes may look better when hanging in an arch, but I just get too nervous just in case it breaks. It's better to see a straight/staked spike than one that's snapped and broken. With phal spikes I tie the spike when it's around 3-5 inches and then secure it tighter and tighter, until it's as straight as the stake. (For some reason, staking spikes get me nervous. Now I have a 3.5" phal spike that's more interested in growing horizontally, and it seems almost impossible to get the spike to grow closer to the stake. Oh well...I'll see about that...)

[Tanya]

I only stake spike when its necessary. I usually use plastic coated wire stakes (available at the florists shops) so that I can bend them and give the spike some "natural" arc, instead of just plain straight.

[Gilda]

I usually stake spikes..it might be after they have developed if they look fragile ,or to guide them in the direction I want them to go...gets frustrating though when you have to place them back on the grow racks, which have limited head room !

[peteMc]

thanks folks i'll watch how it goes...and post when it blooms.

p

[please, don't let this response keep more folks from posting....]

[Gin]

I usually stake the extra long ones on some of the intergenitics , on the Phals. some I do and some not . I buy the little plastic hair clips for kids not the larger ones they use to fasten the spikes, and clip one over the top of the stake , beats a poke in the eye if reaching over them . Gin

[Piper]

Hi Pete,

For the Onc. intergenerics, where the spikes can get ridicoulously large, especiallly any with a brassia mix, where you'd like a horizontal spray, consider a wire stake. Think straightened coat hanger, if you don't have a source of thick bendable wire.

This will allow you to get a slight vertical rise, falling off to a downward sweeping horizontal spray. Because the flowers are large and the spray is usually viewed at a distance, the stake disappears. Your display and photos will be stunning and only you'll know the secret!

Julie

[peteMc]

that's a really appealing idea...can keep the curves and still support it. increases my chances of not snapping it off....thanks

p

[LJA]

I really like the curved wire idea. That would really let you offer support without the straight and rigid up and down look a spike gets otherwise.