---
title: "Does anyone know, when your orchids start growing new stalks in…"
description: "Does anyone know, when your orchids start growing new stalks in preparation for new flowers, can you control which way they grow? Mine seem to like to grow…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ/bkMEJH4SSaKBLUtnuHrMEA"
community: "The Orchid Oasis"
author: "Splashtn Kutchr"
published: "2024-06-12T09:49:41.567745Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/LpY4JgA-tsBwa2G9uK2OGQbSPHyDP6akK26EmcZfEZA/ITVMqFeeS_OFd09ltqHZEw.webp?size=large"
---

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# Does anyone know, when your orchids start growing new stalks in…

_Posted by Splashtn Kutchr on 2024-06-12_

Does anyone know, when your orchids start growing new stalks in preparation for new flowers, can you control which way they grow? Mine seem to like to grow horizontal. So I’m wondering, when they’re from the store, why and how do they grow vertically? Do they manually make them grow that way or is it dependent on the plant itself?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/LpY4JgA-tsBwa2G9uK2OGQbSPHyDP6akK26EmcZfEZA/ITVMqFeeS_OFd09ltqHZEw.webp?size=large)

## 4 comments

### Jen commented on 2024-06-12

You can absolutely train flower spikes to grow upward. They will grow out toward a light source naturally. So one way to encourage a more vertical display is to put a light over the plant that is stronger than say, the window next to it.

When it is still young and tender, before it gets stiff, you can put a stake next to it and encourage an upward direction by GENTLY tethering the spike to the stake as it grows. But I stress the gentle part.

#### Splashtn Kutchr replied on 2024-06-12

Ahhhh okay! Thank you, I kind of figured that was how it was done. I have 3 more orchids that are growing new shoots! I’m so excited, but i think i missed my window of being able to manipulate them; they are already pretty firm! Oh well! Maybe next time lol  
I am just truly shocked I’ve been able to keep all 4 of them healthy, and strong enough to grow shoots.

#### Jen replied on 2024-06-12

As long as they are still growing, they can be manipulated, but obviously, once you miss that initial turn upward, (around 3 inches-ish) it’s going to make a sort of squiggle in the flower spike.

#### Splashtn Kutchr replied on 2024-06-13

Thank you!

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