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.

[pikevi]

Thanks arleneg.

It is also nice to know that miltonias need intermediate to warm. I have a few of them : some in pots and some hanging in baskets but potted.

[palito]

thanks Pikevi and Arleneg!

yeah i meant those picky Miltoniopsis plants that only people in cool weather can grow . Since Neos are from japan I guessed they wouldn't like heat..... that puts and end to my plans of getting one.

[arleneg]

You're welcome, pikevi and palito.

pikevi -- Make sure your Miltonias get filtered bright or dappled light (~1500-2000 f.c.).

[heatherbear10]

I've got a neo and I'm in Central Florida. It is mounted on a piece of drift wood and growing by leaps and bounds in direct western sunlight in the late afternoons-3-6pm. I would say that's pretty warm growing. It just put out 2 spikes, one still blooming. Texas can't be any hotter than here, so give it a whirl. I love mine!!

[pikevi]

I think Texas may not be as humid as Florida. May be that will have an impact on orchids.

[Sharyn]

So, I said to myself, "Self - no more orchids for awhile to feed the addiction - no, no, no." Then the little whispers from the Orchidgeeks were heard saying, "yes, yes, yes - get another one!"

My little Neo came planted in a little clay pot in coconut fibre. I've never tried growing in this medium, but I'll give it a try.

[palito]

LOL! thats an interesting presentation!

[arleneg]

Sharyn,

Very nice presentation of your Neo. falcata! I'm sure you're enjoying that cute thing.

Coconut fiber doesn't hold much moisture. So make sure you water your Neo every day (or other day, depending on your humidity and temp.) and that it gets lots of air movement.

[pikevi]

A very nice looking plant, Sharyn.

So many healthy roots too.

[Sharyn]

palito: After my orchid spree, I could only afford something little. If I'm successful with this one, I'll go for the shutennou - love that hint of purple

arlene: Thanks for the tip on the coconut fibre. It will probably work out better for me since I usually have problems with orchids grown in sphag. Even if I need to water every other day, it won't be a problem, but I'm a bit concerned at keeping those aerial roots hydrated.

pikevi: Nice job on your repotting. How long did it take you to wind up all that sphag and get it in the pot? I wish you success with yours as well.

[palito]

Originally Posted by pikevi

I think Texas may not be as humid as Florida. May be that will have an impact on orchids.

I think so too. Some plants just wilt here. Even if you water more frecuently etc some just can't handle being outside for too long. Zygopetalums and miltoniopsis die. Mini catts only grow in wet sphag and misted all the time. Maybe I should try with a hybrid like a vandofinetia or something like that with a parent that grows in hot weather.

[arleneg]

Sharyn -- You're welcome. In regards to those aerial roots, just mist them every day.

Oh, the other two Neos I ordered arrived today. One is the rather rare and expensive yellow-orange colored one. I'm sure I'll be paying more attention to that one!

palito -- I definitely agree you should get something that is intermediate to warm growing. Early in my hobby, I bought some cool growing orchids (to try). Half of them went to orchid heaven. Now, I'm acquiring orchids that grows in intermediate to warm/hot weather. I suggest you try Neo. falcatas. Some of them actually are intermediate growers.

Originally Posted by Sharyn

So, I said to myself, "Self - no more orchids for awhile to feed the addiction - no, no, no." Then the little whispers from the Orchidgeeks were heard saying, "yes, yes, yes - get another one!"

My little Neo came planted in a little clay pot in coconut fibre. I've never tried growing in this medium, but I'll give it a try.

Now that's a lovely cuppa!