staking small orchids

[Cinderella]

Any creative ideas for very small stakes? I prefer not to stake these (this one is an Slc.) but the flower droops down and you can't really see and enjoy it. What do people use? Break off small parts of bamboo stakes or any better ideas?

[tenman]

Any creative ideas for very small stakes? I prefer not to stake these (this one is an Slc.) but the flower droops down and you can't really see and enjoy it. What do people use? Break off small parts of bamboo stakes or any better ideas?

Picked up this great idea from a friend a couple years ago. Buy florist wire, available in most garden stores. It comes in a range of thicknesses; pick one of the thicker ones. Also in silver and - yes - green! It is heavy enough to hold yet light enough to shape with hands or, for those tight curls with the heavier wire, needle nose pliers. It comes in a variety of lengths (get the longer ones) , and is easily cut (needlenose again) into selected lengths. Best thing is it's cheap - a couple bucks for about 24 pieces. And quite sturdy enough to reuse many times.

[Cinderella]

Ooo, good idea.

[Gin]

Hi , for very small I use the little bamboo skewers used for Ka bobs , can't speeeel it right . Gin

[Piper]

Same as Gin - the supermarket often carries bamboo skewers (I have a couple of different widths and lengths.) I use them both for cooking and staking.

Julie

[Cinderella]

Thanks....I prefer staking to cooking.

[LJA]

Me too, unless someone's cooking stake. (get it? AHHHH HAH AHAH HAHHA!)

I'm in a mood. Sorry.......

[catfan]

I buy heavy galv. wire from home stores used for installing suspended acoustical ceilings...cut to length, form a 'U' in the end, then bend that 'U' at a right angle to the longer, bottom end of the wire, and insert in pot with 'U' supporting the bloom. The bottom of the wire can be cut to the correct length, and I run them through the dishwasher when finished with them...