Turning polychilos flower spikes around
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.

Turning polychilos flower spikes around
Many perks!
<...more...>


Sponsor
 

Google


Fauna Top Sites
LOG IN/REGISTER TO CLOSE THIS ADVERTISEMENT
  #1  
Old 07-06-2024, 06:34 PM
MateoinLosAngeles MateoinLosAngeles is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Oct 2022
Member of:AOS, OSSC
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 478
Default Turning polychilos flower spikes around

Hey everyone,

I messed up when assembling my grow shelves. I use the Ikea BROR shelves which have removable tops.

I had my lights aligned so the brightest lights would be placed at the front while leaving a gap at the back to direct flower spikes forward. I did alternate warm and cool lights, so one of the strong lights is in the middle of the shelf.

When I moved and placed the top back on the shelves I did it backwards without noticing. Total brain fog moment.

As you see, I have two polychilos orchids with developed spikes. Especially one of them which has three grown spikes, out of which one has been blooming sequentially while the other two have been developing but are yet to bloom. This one is also pushing a new spike in the right direction so worst comes to worst I might get a "cloud" or "crown" arrangement over the plant.

I have turned everything around now but I would like to force the spikes forward, for show.
  • Is it possible that the spikes that haven't bloomed yet might turn slightly forward towards the brightest light now? What about the one that has bloomed? Could the sequentiality make it turn?

    Could cutting the spikes force the plants to grow new spikes in the right direction?

    Should I try to "bonsai" the spikes with some wire to slowly force them forward?

    Should I just accept my fate and have a "butt-blooming" plant?

The plants affected are hybrids.
1) Phal. gigantea x Phal. tetraspis
2) Complex hybrid: Phal. LL Blue Macaw (Phal. lueddemanniana 40%, tetraspis 20%, violacea 20%, bellina 10%, micholitzii 5%, amboinensis 5%)

Attaching photos of the plants and the lights.
Attached Thumbnails
Turning polychilos flower spikes around-img_9524-jpg   Turning polychilos flower spikes around-img_9523-jpg   Turning polychilos flower spikes around-img_9525-jpg  
__________________
Add me on Instagram and let's chat orchids!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-06-2024, 08:27 PM
Dimples Dimples is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Jan 2022
Zone: 8b
Location: Olympia, WA
Posts: 947
Turning polychilos flower spikes around
Default

I do that intentionally with my phals. for spike management. I use windows, so the spikes grow far too low/flat unless I start them backwards for the first half of the growth (I guess when to turn based on past spike lengths for each plant). Once they get turned around, the spike reorients and makes a gentle curve over the top of the plants. I’d assume it’s the same for the warmer growers. Lighting changes in the wild too. Branches fall, trees grow, they’d have to be able to adapt.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-06-2024, 08:34 PM
Dimples Dimples is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Jan 2022
Zone: 8b
Location: Olympia, WA
Posts: 947
Turning polychilos flower spikes around
Default

This is the same plant. The single branching spike was in February of this year. The double arrangement was either ‘22 or ‘23, can’t remember. I love spikes that originate from the back and arch over the plant. Keeps them a bit more compact. Your spikes may ramble more during the turnaround, but I think it’s worth a try.
Attached Thumbnails
Turning polychilos flower spikes around-img_6129-jpg   Turning polychilos flower spikes around-img_6130-jpg  
Reply With Quote
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes
Likes tmoney liked this post
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
force, forward, lights, phal, spikes


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
Sharry baby flower spikes Chakora Oncidium/Odontoglossum Alliance 7 02-07-2020 11:34 AM
Question on flower spikes Phal. Cancundude Beginner Discussion 3 12-20-2019 06:48 PM
Flowering keikeis on cut flower spikes? khozmo Beginner Discussion 8 09-27-2009 01:06 PM
Need help getting cymbidium to grow new flower spikes! Chiefster Cymbidium Alliance 13 10-29-2008 10:00 PM
Initiation of flower spikes in Odontoglossum and Brassia? Storknest Oncidium/Odontoglossum Alliance 7 04-18-2007 06:03 PM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:22 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.