Can a hydroponic Phalaenopsis survive with an iron skewer inserted? Here's how to fix the flower stem

Generally speaking, when growing Phalaenopsis, you choose between soil culture and hydroponics. Many bloggers online share soil-culture care tips, but few are found sharing the care troubles of hydroponics. Among them, how do you fix the flower stem shape in water culture so it grows better along the way? Because water culture is different from the support provided by potting medium, solving this also took no small amount of thought.

It is a hassle that hydroponic Phalaenopsis is hard to insert a tag into and hard to put a support stake into. Below, I share two little methods I worked out, hoping to help everyone. The first is rather rough and simple, suitable for Phalaenopsis that has old leaves at the base (find ones that are about to wither). At this point, find an iron skewer, pierce it directly through the old leaf, then find a suitable angle and push it into the root system, and it's done. This method is simple, but the key is to use it on a plant with old leaves, otherwise new leaves can't withstand this kind of skewering torment.

The second method is more recommended, and it is much gentler than the previous one. First find a milk straw (you can find the straw on a hard carton of milk), preferably the kind with a bent end, put the bent end facing down, and stick it directly to the outside of the flower pot with tape. Fixed this way, it is stable and won't hurt the flower, and even beginners can easily do it.

Also, a reminder: when there are many sticks fixing flowers at home, they can easily become hidden weapons, and one day you may accidentally get scratched, especially in households with children and pets, so this needs attention. I suggest buying protective covers for plant stakes online; these are especially handy, just simply slip them over the ends of the sticks, and the 3 mm size fits exactly the sticks that come with Phalaenopsis when you buy them, and they aren't expensive. I've tried it myself and it is indeed much safer, protecting yourself and your family, and also preventing fur babies from getting poked. This small expense is worth it.

Finally, for home hydroponic Phalaenopsis, note that it must not be placed in harsh sunlight; the best is to place it in a spot with diffused light. Later, when changing the water, look more at whether the water quality is clean and the temperature; if conditions allow, it is best to use filtered water. If using tap water, you can let the water sit still for a while before adding it, and avoid using water sources that contain too many chemicals.