For the Neo experts

[jay]

I have a Neofinetia falcata 'Suikaden'. It has been in S/H for about a year and a half. It has one large growth with about 12 leaves and two newer growths with about 4-5 leaves each since I brought it home. It has seemed to be stalled out for the last 8 months with no new leaves or roots.

Suddenly it has put out two new roots that are now diving into the LECA and appear to be very healthy. It is also starting a new leaf on each of the growths.

My question is, will it have a chance of blooming this spring summer? Or does this plant bloom then grow roots which means I have to wait until next year? I am just not sure what this plants cycle is since it has never bloomed for me.

Thanks in advance.

[myorchid]

I am not an expert but I have also noticed that my Neos really haven't done much through the winter. They now are putting out new roots and leaves. I believe that you have a good chance of them blooming this year.

Hopefully an expert will chime in if I am wrong. (I hope not cause I would really like blooms too!)

[solay]

I'm new to them too but I too notice new roots coming in after doing nothing through the winter. Keep our fingers crossed for blooms!

[kip]

my neos are starting to come out of dormancy, and I can see the start of spikes on 2 of them. I think if yours are going to bloom, they'll do it soon.

[butt0n]

I haven't rebloomed mine yet, but I would think they're not hard to spike. I'd just wait for summer since that's when they bloom. Mine are also growing new leaves and growths, so I'm sure that's just their pattern.

[digitalgate]

This is how i did it. Lower light source and shorten the number of hours as well. Also withheld water.

[Brooke]

I'm not an expert, only have the one but it is growing season for it and will bloom late spring/early summer here.

Brooke

[articuno75]

All of the Neos should start to wake up by now. I can't remember which one yours is for sure Jay. It should throw blooms for you this year. Probably by mid-late summer. My Neos are starting to grow new roots and the growths that were there previously are starting to look "bigger". If you are seeing the root tips and growth, now is the time for repot. Especially for those who are using the traditional mounds. Spagh only lasts for about a year, max, so check those roots.

[Plucky Purcell]

I just got my first neo. and it is a cute little thing. 1 full fan of 7 leaves and 1 new growth just starting. I know I'm not getting any flowers this year (or next most likely) but I'm pleased with the plant and happy to be learning more. I can't wait to see your guy's blooms.

[articuno75]

Plucky there is a ginormous thread here somewhere on Neos. (And it's a large one too.) It has as much info on Neos as you can get your hands on. Actually, I think it was made into a sticky.

[Plucky Purcell]

I've already perused that massive thread of Neo love. Got about half way through before the eyes started hurting and had to give it a rest. All your, and the other geeks, knowledge has been infinitely helpful to this budding orchid geek. Much love.

[myorchid]

Thanks, Jenny. I guess I will need to start the repot of all the Neos! All of mine are in the traditional mound.

[jay]

Great! Thanks to everyone for their input. My Neo has been growing the roots for a little while already. The new roots are about 3 inches long and it has started new leaves. I think I get a head start because it is already in the 80's F here. I will surely post my first Neo bloom when it happens.

[hulaorchid]

I am hoping for blooms too! I will have to get some infor on repotting!
Hopefully April(My Orchid) can help me, since she shared with me!!

[arleneg]

Yup, this is the time for new roots and growths. Neos tend to bloom anytime between spring and summer.

Jay, since you're experiencing warmer weather already, you're in the lead for blooms.


Talking about repotting Neos, I'll have the time to do that the week after next...during spring break. I hope to get all of them done.

[butt0n]

This thread reminded me that I need to repot...ugh...I actually hate repotting Neos. It just seems more time consuming since the mound has to look semi-presentable! LOL...

[articuno75]

Button~ LoL I cheated this time around and instead of doing the traditional mound,,,, (pauses and takes a deep breath....)

I potted them in coco husk.

[jay]

Well, mine is in S/H and I just repotted it today. It had a couple of dead roots that I trimmed and several good roots. With any luck I will get blooms this year. It has been nearly 2 years since I got it and I thought it was blooming size then.

[digitalgate]

Originally Posted by articuno75

Button~ LoL I cheated this time around and instead of doing the traditional mound,,,, (pauses and takes a deep breath....)

I potted them in coco husk.

I even more lazy. I potted them with "nothingness "

[kip]

Originally Posted by digitalgate

I even more lazy. I potted them with "nothingness "

I put most of mine in pots, but I have a couple in "nothingness"

[articuno75]

Originally Posted by digitalgate

I even more lazy. I potted them with "nothingness "

Yeah, but your humidity is uber high and you and Kip can pot in "nothingness". LoL

I wish I could do that with all that with all my orchids.

[Sharyn]

Originally Posted by digitalgate

I even more lazy. I potted them with "nothingness "

Mine in "next to nothingness" - coconut fiber - looks like my grandma's old wig.

[patlee]

I only have two neos, but the older one is mounted on cork and sits in the middle of a big blob of sphag. The roots and new growths are starting to stretch, so I will change the sphag and mount the newer one (Shu Ten Nou). There's no way I could ever do the traditional mound Mounts are easy

[kip]

Originally Posted by articuno75

Yeah, but your humidity is uber high and you and Kip can pot in "nothingness". LoL

I wish I could do that with all that with all my orchids.

I live in a desert. we have to use misting systems to keep the humidity up from may to september. the humidity is very high in winter, which can cause serious problems.

Originally Posted by patlee

I only have two neos, but the older one is mounted on cork and sits in the middle of a big blob of sphag. The roots and new growths are starting to stretch, so I will change the sphag and mount the newer one (Shu Ten Nou). There's no way I could ever do the traditional mound Mounts are easy

I've been looking for 朱天王(shutennou) for a while now. where'd you get yours?

[patlee]

New World Orchids--www.newworldorchids.com

[kip]

Originally Posted by patlee

New World Orchids--www.newworldorchids.com

thanks! I just checked them out, they have a huge selection.

[articuno75]

Between Dr. Lehr and Satomi we can get our Neo fill.

[arleneg]

Therese,

The sphag mound doesn't have to be perfect.

[arleneg]

kip,

Satomi has better prices than New World Orchids. If you're starting out, buying from her is a good start.

[kip]

Thanks, Arlene. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to attend any of the shows she's been to.

[myorchid]

Kip, try ebay as Satomi sometimes has Neo's on there. Her seller name is Japaneseorchids.

[kip]

that's her? she just had a bunch on ebay, then. unfortunately, I always get outbid on ebay, it's often cheaper to just buy them from new world orchids.

[articuno75]

Send her an email and you can buy from her direct. Ask for a price list.

[kip]

thanks everyone, I'll try to contact Satomi directly. Jay, sorry for hijacking your thread.

[jay]

No worries. I have learned a good bit from this thread expanding off topic. It doesn't bother me at all.

[arleneg]

Yes, kip, directly send email to Satomi. A lot of times, the final price on ebay is higher than the selling price she offers (offline).