Root porn!!

[Clawhammer]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Catasetum expansum. Haven't watered yet but getting close. Leaves still tightly rolled.

That plant is as ready for spring as I am!

At this point I "tuck in" the roots with a little extra sphag. Catasetum roots like to be fully covered in my experience...

[WaterWitchin]

Love the tips of those Neo roots, K-Sci! Very nice!

[Roberta]

That deer has expensive taste! Love the pink root tips.

[DirtyCoconuts]

that top Neo pic might be the most beautiful pic ever!


my catasetums have lots of air roots and the ones with certain parentage do that nest of roots thing at the top of the container. i think it has to do with the humidity or lack thereof - they do like their roots wet and covered in detritus

[isurus79]

Whoa! Those Neofinetia roots look like delicious candies!

[K-Sci]

Thank you for the complements on the Neofinetia roots. I'm going to retake the second picture when the roots get longer and will repose.

-Keith

[Eli Vizsla]

Walkeriana with new roots!

[K-Sci]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Whoa! Those Neofinetia roots look like delicious candies!

No doubt the deer would have eaten them too if they looked like they do now.
-Keith

[K-Sci]

Lest a collector that isn't aware think the electric purple-pink root tips are normal for neofinetia, I should mention that the Japanese collect and highly value certain neofinetia falcata mutations, such as these. Some mutated neofinetia falcata sell at prices approaching $1M US. One cause for the high prices is that some mutations are chimera (multiple genotypes in one plant), and so cannot be cloned; they can only be propagated by division. This is especially the case for Fukurin (覆輪) - mutated neofinetia with various white to yellow lengthwise leaf striping).

I think small but flowering size plants of he neofinetia pictured can be purchase from Diamond Orchids and usually have fairly normal orchid prices.

For reference, I've attached a description of the most common root mutations. Sometimes a neofinetia will have more than one root color.
-Keith

[Jinh]

I put this Stanhopea in a new basket about 6 months ago, I had to cut it out of the basket today to upgrade.