Paph flower too heavy for spike- how to stake it?
Login
User Name
Password   


Registration is FREE. Click to become a member of OrchidBoard community
(You're NOT logged in)

menu menu

Sponsor
Donate Now
and become
Forum Supporter.

Paph flower too heavy for spike- how to stake it?
Many perks!
<...more...>


Sponsor
 

Google


Fauna Top Sites
LOG IN/REGISTER TO CLOSE THIS ADVERTISEMENT
  #1  
Old 09-28-2024, 03:34 PM
Klup Klup is offline
Jr. Member
 

Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 8
Paph flower too heavy for spike- how to stake it?
Default Paph flower too heavy for spike- how to stake it?

I have an overall healthy Paph majestic fred that I bought several years ago in flower with a gorgeous, huge dark purple slipper. The past 2 cycles as it sends up a spike, ultimately the flower gets too heavy and ends up weighing the fleshy stem down to the point it crimps the stem and the stem shrivels up and the flower never blooms. I’ve tried to support it once I see this starting, but it’s always too late.

This one’s stem is very fleshy and doesn’t seem to harden. With the curving shape of the top of the stem I don’t know how best to stake it, and I’m afraid of damaging it myself.

Any tips for how I can stake it with enough support that the flower doesn’t weigh it down so much? It’s starting to send up a new spike now.

I’ll try to find a photo from the last disaster to illustrate
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-28-2024, 03:44 PM
Klup Klup is offline
Jr. Member
 

Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 8
Paph flower too heavy for spike- how to stake it?
Default

Here’s a photo- early spike then what happens as it grows
Attached Thumbnails
Paph flower too heavy for spike- how to stake it?-img_5584-jpg   Paph flower too heavy for spike- how to stake it?-img_5165-jpg  
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-28-2024, 03:53 PM
Roberta's Avatar
Roberta Roberta is online now
Super Moderator
 

Join Date: Jun 2008
Zone: 10a
Location: Coastal southern California, USA
Posts: 13,809
Paph flower too heavy for spike- how to stake it? Female
Default

Tie to the stake gently as the spike emerges - it needs to droop a little or it will end up pointed upward in a weird way. I like the wire states with a half-loop at the top, so the spike just rests on it, isn't bound tightly. You want to support the weight, but give it the leeway to develop the way it wants to.
__________________
Orchids teach patience!

Roberta's Orchids (visit my back yard)

See what orchid species are blooming in Southern California(New page for DECEMBER 2024)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-28-2024, 05:13 PM
Waterdog111's Avatar
Waterdog111 Waterdog111 is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: May 2024
Member of:AOS
Location: Gulf Coast
Age: 75
Posts: 256
Paph flower too heavy for spike- how to stake it? Male
Default

That sounds like one of those Feeed me blooms, watch out
I love the mottled look of that orchid , be nice to see the bloom.
__________________
W.D.111
Tiny house dweller

Last edited by Waterdog111; 09-28-2024 at 05:17 PM..
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-29-2024, 12:33 AM
estación seca's Avatar
estación seca estación seca is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Jun 2015
Zone: 9b
Location: Phoenix AZ - Lower Sonoran Desert
Posts: 18,618
Paph flower too heavy for spike- how to stake it? Male
Default

Make sure it doesn't dry out completely when in spike. That can cause this.
__________________
May the bridges I've burned light my way.

Weather forecast for my neighborhood
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-29-2024, 12:41 AM
Roberta's Avatar
Roberta Roberta is online now
Super Moderator
 

Join Date: Jun 2008
Zone: 10a
Location: Coastal southern California, USA
Posts: 13,809
Paph flower too heavy for spike- how to stake it? Female
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by estación seca View Post
Make sure it doesn't dry out completely when in spike. That can cause this.
Good point. Actually, Paphs should not ever dry out.
__________________
Orchids teach patience!

Roberta's Orchids (visit my back yard)

See what orchid species are blooming in Southern California(New page for DECEMBER 2024)
Reply With Quote
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes
Likes Waterdog111 liked this post
  #7  
Old 09-29-2024, 07:34 AM
Ray's Avatar
Ray Ray is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: May 2005
Member of:AOS
Location: Oak Island NC
Posts: 15,177
Paph flower too heavy for spike- how to stake it? Male
Default

Yep. Lack of water.
__________________
Ray Barkalow, Orchid Iconoclast
FIRSTRAYS.COM
Try Kelpak - you won't be sorry!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-30-2024, 12:43 AM
tmoney's Avatar
tmoney tmoney is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Feb 2021
Zone: 8b
Location: Dusseldorf, DE
Posts: 1,196
Paph flower too heavy for spike- how to stake it? Male
Default

howdy! to second what roberta said, i would put a stake in now just next to the base of the fan. caution on using a stake long enough...choose one you think is too long!! there is nothing worse than using a short stake and having to mess with it and swap out the stake when the bud is bigger and heavier!

then use a rubber plant wire, or bonsai wire, or a bread bag twist tie and secure it to the stake firmly, but make a simple open hook. gently place the flower spike on the hook and you are good to go. as it grows, gently move the hook up so it supports the flower about an in and a half below the bud. avoid completely surrounding the spike with the hook, you want it just holding the spike up....best of luck!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
flower, paph, spike, stake, stem


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
A flower, too heavy (among other things) Jeff214 Beginner Discussion 17 08-13-2020 12:24 PM
Paph Vill-exul in flower RosieC Cypripedium Alliance - Paphiopedilum 3 03-06-2015 08:51 AM
How to stake a Paph RJSquirrel Cypripedium Alliance - Paphiopedilum 14 11-07-2010 11:54 AM
My orchid list......... Bolero Orchid Lounge 9 05-22-2008 07:24 AM
Paph. NOID kavanaru Cypripedium Alliance - Paphiopedilum 5 11-01-2007 02:43 PM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:25 PM.

© 2007 OrchidBoard.com
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.37 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.

Clubs vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.