Traditionally, orchids in bloom are staked. This keeps the flowers more or less upright, and the plant from lurching out of its pot. But more and more often, I am seeing orchids bloom in a more natural manner, without their stakes. Which do you prefer? Staked:
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| Staked, tall, and straight. |
Or no stake?
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| Unstaked, snakey, and sideways. |
This unstaked phal is taking advantage of its relative freedom by visiting its neighbor. So far it has not fallen out of its pot. I have found that using clay orchid pebbles in the orchid mix makes the pot heavy enough so that the plant does not fall. Most of my orchids bloom without stakes now, but I confess that's because I'm kinda lazy.
I also like the snaky inflorescence of an unstaked orchid, and how they can create some weird curves, or drape themselves downwards or around other things. At our recent orchid show, about a quarter of the orchids on display were unstaked, and several of the top winners were "au natural". Definitely a trend....
