when flowers open

[Cinderella]

if there is something obstructing the way, like a leaf, does the flower still open normally, pushing the leaf out of the way, or does the leaf stunt the opening of the flower?

[Jmoney]

depends on how flexible the leaf is. for a standard catt with its tough leaves, better to tie up the spike so that the flowers can open unimpeded.

[Cinderella]

Actually, I think this has happened to me a couple of times, where the flower ended up not fully opening.

[TundraKev]

What kind of plant are we talking about? I guess, I've had more accidents with messing around with flowers trying to help them out. Generally now, I just leave them alone and hope for the best.

It might be a good opportunity to check and see if there is some cultural problem you could correct. Sometime it can be a water problem (lack of) or problems with the root system, humidity, etc. It's kind of difficult to give any more suggestions without knowing what kind of plant you have.

'Tis a bummer though.

Kev d

[Gin]

I have a bifoliate that will do that if there are 4 flowers on a stem they get crunched , I think it is because the stem is not long enough , light may have something to do with it what I have done is nick the sheath that is supporting the stem to give a little wiggle room . Gin

[Cinderella]

It has happened to me on 2 potinaras but one was a large plant and the other is compact. I guess this is more of a reason to stake them as there did not seem to be any culture problems.