Neofinetia falcata

[pikevi]

I have had this orchid,Neofinetia falcata, for over two months. It was tiny when I bought it and I had it hanging under a grapevine. It has put out two new leaves and many new roots. But it is lying flat in the basket. Lately I found out that they like to be mounted on top of a heap of medium with a lot of space underneath.

I am thinking of repotting it upright and also in the manner it was supposed to have been mounted.

Is that necessary at this stage of its development? If it is , any suggestion to create a dome-shaped space under the potting/mounting medium?

Thank you.

[snowballsarebad]

When I first got my Vandofinetia Blaupunkt, it also was growing on it's side. I've since put it into a basket, and it is more upright, but the leaves are a bit crooked. I would try to get it growing the way you want it to as soon as possible, so it doesn't continue to grow flopped over on its side.
About the mound-style growing...they've got special pots for neofinetias, where the plant grows on top of a mound of what looks to be sphagnum, if you're interested. Otherwise, I think what you might be able to do is take a ball of sphag, and rest it on a pot with a smaller diameter. Maybe with a couple big chunks of bark underneath for support?

[pikevi]

Thanks, snowballsarebad.

I forgot to add the photo.

I have not seen the special pot you mentioned but your idea seems good. I will try that. I was planning to insert a party ballon from the bottom and inflate it to make a dome and then fill it up with the medium. The only problem is to find a way to keep the medium conform to the shape permanently once I deflate the balloon. May be properly shaped chicken wire placed inside the pot may serve the purpose.

Thanks again for the suggestion.

[snowballsarebad]

Oh, and I found this: http://homepage3.nifty.com/plantsandjapan/page084.html to get the shape of the sphag, you wrap it around the top of a very small pot.

[Fabolusus]

Here's my Shutenno potted in the traditional way. You have to use the high quality shag that comes in long strands.

[pikevi]

Thank you snowballsarebad and Fabolusus.

Using a smaller pot to get the shape is a novel idea

Both look great. But your moss looks fresh,fabolusus. What I have is brown and crumbles under pressure.

I will leave it as it is until I get some good fresh sphag.

Nice flowers, Fabolusus. I hope you can smell them too.

[palito]

nice thread. I am about to buy a neofinetia or a related hybrid . THe instructions on how to make the traditional potting will be handy !

[Fabolusus]

They just started opening, so no scent yet. I did just repot a week ago. I ordered the sphag online because everything in the garden shops near me are unsuitable. This site has great Neos and supplies: http://www.orchidweb.com/

[pikevi]

Thanks Fabolusus. I remembered reading about some fragrance in 'samurai' orchids..

[Sharyn]

Originally Posted by Fabolusus

Here's my Shutenno potted in the traditional way.

What a lovely presentation of an orchid! It looks like a beautiful piece of art. The Neofinetia was a perfect choice for this technique. Thanks for sharing.

[arleneg]

pikevi -- In addition to snowball's example...

without cavity or with cavity by use of a bottle

Fabolusus -- I've been hunting for the "Shutenno". Last I checked orchidweb.com, they sold out. Got any divisions?

[Fabolusus]

They have some left. They spell it "shutennou". Also, "shojyo" looks almost identical except for the spur length. I wish mine was big enough to make make divisions! I've had it for a year, and this is it's first bloom. BTW it did start to smell today- It's amazing! My sister says it smells like expensive perfume.

[pikevi]

Thanks, arleneg.

That is a nice and simple way to pot the orchid. I have to get some good moss soon. All the garden centres have very old broken down moss.

Fabolusus: I remember the lady who sold it to me said the same thing. For the size of the flowers they produce sufficient fragrance to fill a room. I guess I have a long wait to experience it

[arleneg]

Fabolusus -- I checked orchidweb, and they do have some for sale. So I placed an order for one...err...two. The other is for Neo. falcata "Benisuzume".

I can hardly wait to meet my new 'chids.

pikevi -- You're welcome.

[blksunsh1ne]

ive been wanting a shutennou for a year.........Fabolusus, im jealous.....

[pikevi]

I just finished re-potting the Neofinetia.

I thank everyone for the suggestions.

[Vivienne]

That came out great pikevi - nice job!!

[palito]

question for all you neo growers. are Neos cool growers like miltonias?

[pikevi]

I am not sure, palito. May be someone else can help you.

Mine has been hanging under a partially shaded trellis with some additional shade provided by a grapevine. Outside temperature has been fluctuating between 12C and 37C (54F-98F). It had done well.

Now I have re-potted it and I have not found a place yet.

[arleneg]

pikevi -- Very nice job on the repot.

palito -- From what I've read so far, Neos are cool to intermediate growers. By the way, Miltonias tend to be intermediate to warm growers. Miltoniopsis is a cool to intermediate grower. Just thought I clear that up.