Neo keiki leaf browning, roots are a little dry

[Jmoney]

I think we *all* overthink things at some point (I hope I'm not coming across as critical), and we definitely all kill orchids. I would suggest you decide on how you want to grow neos, nothing wrong with bark, but it's probably easier to grow everything the same way. moss mounds are not for everyone. of course if you use bark, there is no rule that you cannot try a struggling plant in moss. if it doesn't have great roots don't even worry about mounding. just stick it into a tiny pot and use a small wad of moss.

I would also strongly caution you about the rabbit hole that is fukiran. I started off with one. then it was 6, then 12.
it's like 50 now.

[alecStewart1]

Originally Posted by Jmoney

there is no rule that you cannot try a struggling plant in moss. if it doesn't have great roots don't even worry about mounding. just stick it into a tiny pot and use a small wad of moss.

Yea I didn't put the struggling one in a mound. I set the guy on top of a packing peanut, put a little moss around that in a very unfashionable way, stuck it in a tiny pot and that's all she wrote. No wrapping around, twisting, tying or tightening.

I'll double check and see if there's enough of a "pocket" with what I did when I get home.

EDIT: also don't worry about being critical. I don't mind at all. I'm really just stressing myself out with over thinking.

[Roberta]

The packing peanut isn't a pocket, unless you took it out after you firmed things up. (The "pocket" in moss-mound potting is an actual air space) Now is the time to just leave the plant alone and give it a chance to grow. Stop messing with it.

[alecStewart1]

Originally Posted by Jmoney

I would also strongly caution you about the rabbit hole that is fukiran. I started off with one. then it was 6, then 12.
it's like 50 now.

Sounds like all you needed to do to get out of that rabbit hole was go down the Choseiran rabbit hole instead.

---------- Post added at 04:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:55 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

Now is the time to just leave the plant alone and give it a chance to grow. Stop messing with it.

Oh trust me, I won't. Once I got it in potted properly with the moss I was very much ready to stop bugging the little plant.

[Jmoney]

just a few of those. im down the catasetinae rabbit hole now. also problematic since these are larger!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Jmoney

just a few of those. im down the catasetinae rabbit hole now. also problematic since these are larger!

And there are LOTS of them. With new ones emerging every year. And they grow fast. A very deep rabbit hole, indeed.

[alecStewart1]

I kind of like the Choseiran and they're definitely cheaper than most Fuukiran.

I just saw some Catasetinae hybrids are cool-warm growers, which is great for here in North Texas.
If I got anything else, though, I'd want plants I know I can put outside. Brassavola and some of their hybrids look great, too.

But I feel like mastering Fuukiran is a better idea than getting more plants. I think it's not a bad way to get scheduling waterings in winter down, considering a lot of the orchids I'm interested in want drier winters.

[Jmoney]

Originally Posted by Roberta

And there are LOTS of them. With new ones emerging every year. And they grow fast. A very deep rabbit hole, indeed.

yes Fred makes so many intriguing crosses! and a few selects pop up from time to time also. gets out of control quickly!