Because of the way orchid plants grow and due to the fact that they are not and should not be anchored in solid potting soil like most other plants, they often require additional support. And that is especially true shortly after repotting and when the roots have not yet had a chance to properly settle in. In other words, we need to help our orchid plants stand upright and prevent wobbling which can cause their roots to break.

In addition to anchoring the structure of the entire orchid plant, we also need to provide proper support to the spikes on which the fabulously beautiful blooms will ultimately appear. That is because the shooting spikes tend to be disproportionately long and rather thin and the bulk of the flowers tend to weigh them down.

So, when you repot your orchid plant (and you should do that every 12 to 24 months), be sure to replace the potting mix and insert two or three bamboo, hardwood, plastic, wire or metal stakes to hold the plant up straight within the new pot. But always be sure that you do not rip, tear or break any of its roots and that the stakes do not obstruct any of the plants new growth. After a while, the root system of your orchid plant would have arranged themselves in such a way that artificial support will no longer be needed and you can then safely remove the stakes. However, leaving them there indefinitely will not harm the plant.

Once your orchid plant begins preparations for producing the gorgeous bloom you have been waiting for, it will develop a spike which will require support. There are various options you can choose from and those include orchid stakes in the following designs:

• Ring stakes
• Hook stakes
• Clip stakes
• Straight bamboo, wood, plastic, wire stakes

The use of any of the above mentioned stakes requires that they be poked into the orchid potting media. And so you must be careful not to puncture the leaves, the stem or the roots of your orchid plant in the process.

To ensure that the orchid spike leans against the spike you provided, you will need to fasten them. You can use special gardening ties, plastic covered wire, decorative clips or some household yarn. But whatever you do, avoid using bear wire or anything abrasive which can inadvertently wound the spike.

Now, you can either purchase your orchid stakes at your local garden supply center such as Armstrong, an orchid grower such as the Orchid Mall or an online vender such as US Orchid Supplies but you could just as easily create your own supportive stake. Just remember that it needs to be long enough to support most of the length of your orchid’s spike, it must be sturdy enough to support its weight once the bloom appears and it must be made of a material that will not harm any part of the plant. For more information related to growing orchids and their needed supplies, and for links to important resources; pock around this Orchid Care.org site.

Get the Flash Player to see this content.

Filed under: Orchid Supplies

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!