Question
QUESTION: Dear Wayne

My question is about phalaenopsis growing in the UK.

Its growth spell has just started and a new spike is about half an inch long.

The phal is on a west window sill, with 3 sets of leaves facing to the window. The whole plant 'leans over' quite a bit - towards the window.

This means that the new spike has started by growing horizontally towards the window, and will have to go around 3 inches in that direction before it emerges from under the overhanging leaves - when i presume it would start growing upwards.

My question is, should the plant be facing a different direction to allow the new spike to grow upwards immediately? I can send a photo by email if my explanation is not clear enough!

I would be grateful for any advice!

Many thanks

Jonny


ANSWER: Thanks for your question Jonny.  Your description should suffice for now.  It is likely that your flower spike's growth is horizontal because the leaf above it prevents a more vertical growth.  Still, it will tend to grow toward the light as it elongates. For that, you will need a small bamboo stake and a twisty tie to stake the spike as it elongates so the flowers are well presented when it reaches that stage.  Wait until the spike is at least 6-8 inches long before staking it.  Do not force the spike to an immediate vertical position when first tying it to the stake or it may snap off.  Initially, just pull it more upright to stake it and, as it elongates, continue to move the stake to a more upright position every few days and restake the spike in the new position. Make sure your stake is long enough to allow for spike elongation as you will need to move your twisty tie higher up the bamboo stake as the spike gets longer.

Try not to turn the plant while there is spike elongation because, if the direction of the light changes, the spike will change its growth and result in a less esthetically pleasing growth and flowering.  When the buds start opening, you can then rotate the plant so you can enjoy the flowers more.  Even then, however, it is possible that flower spike elongation will continue as more buds may continue to form and this could affect the direction of growth of the tip of the flower spike.

Normally, an east window is recommended for phalaenopsis.  However, it sounds as if your plant is doing well where it is so I would not move it.  Don't forget to repot it when it has finished blooming.  An important aspect of the repotting is to check the root condition and remove any rotted roots before repotting.

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QUESTION: Thanks Wayne!

The only problem is that to get clear of the leaves, the spike has to grow a long way out of the pot, before it can start growing upwards! It will be hard to stake then, as it will be some way out of the pot.
I was thinking about turning it now, while the spike is very short, to see if I can get it to turn back on itself and grow up behind the leaves rather than underneath them! It's only 0.5" long - will turning it now do any harm?

Thanks again!

jonny

Answer
You can turn the pot until the spike gets to be a few inches long without any problem.  It's worth a try.  You can always try my earlier suggestion, if your hypothesis doesn't prove out.  For spikes that grow out over the edge of the pot, you still can use the method I described by angling the bamboo stake so that it too is projecting beyond the pot and, as the spike elongates, you could try to reposition the stake to bring the spike a little closer in toward the plant each time.