Should you use a stake to hold up an orchid plant?

We have an orchid plant, the stem is about one foot tall and tilts way over to the side. I am scared that it might break off, should i tie it to a stake, or will it be okay as it is?

Should you use a stake to hold up an orchid plant?
Yes, you can stake your orchid. It'll help support your plant.





Here's what others say about staking an orchid:


" Staking is best done as stem grows and before buds open. Many growers prefer to insert stake when potting orchid, but it is up to you."


http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantnam...





When repotting: "If your plant is top-heavy, now is the time to put a stake in the pot to give your plant a little more support. Use twist ties or string to secure the plant to the stake."


http://www.kawamotoorchids.com/repotting...


http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/kobayashik/O...





BellaOnline's orchids editor gives these tips on using stakes:


"I have more different kinds of stakes than you can imagine, but most of the time I only use one kind—bamboo shish-kabob skewers purchased at the grocery store. These are about 10” long, have one end that is sharpened and they are perfect for staking up all but very tall or very large plants. Another thing I have done for those long inflorescences is to take a thin branch from a tree and dry it. This provides a natural looking stake that can be cut to any length you want."


http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art2...





"As the buds mature, they may weight a spike to the point where it cannot support the weight of the flowers and begins to sag. This is especially true of hybrids bred to produce unnaturally robust blooms. The changing orientation of the inflorescence to the light source has the same effect as moving the plant. The solution is the stake the inflorescence early in its development if you know the buds will eventually be heavy enough to strain the plant's ability to hold them aloft."


http://www.orchids.org/culture/FAQs.html...





Pictorial of staking an orchid:


http://www.repotme.com/orchid-care/Orchi...





Examples of stakes made of bent aluminum rods or wire used to support blooming plants without using ties or clips:


http://www.floralswirls.com/


http://www.tindaraorchids.com/index_tind... (scroll down page)





The orchid in this video uses a decorative clip to attach the orchid to the stake.


http://video.yahoo.com/watch/582697/2851...





Good luck!!! Hope this helps.
Reply:We don't use ties on our phals.





You can make a stake out of a wire coathanger.





Cut off the bottom straight portion and leave about an inch of the bend on one side. With a pliers, bend down the return end at 90 degrees to form a half hoop.





Push straight end into pot and rest the stem on the bent end.