neofineta falcata culture

[Call_Me_Bob]

ooh, maybe ill try that.

do you think a humidity tray will suffice? or a fish bowl over a humidity tray?

do your water jugs have ventilation?

[Becca]

Originally Posted by help

ooh, maybe ill try that.

do you think a humidity tray will suffice? or a fish bowl over a humidity tray?

do your water jugs have ventilation?

What is your humidity normally? What is your growing area like (I think you have mentioned in previous threads but I can't remember)?

[Call_Me_Bob]

my humidity can get up to 80 in the summer, but in the winter it can get down there. like maybe 40. and my growing area gets light like a phal would like. i have north-east and south-east windows there, and the plants are in the middle of the room, maybe 3 feet from the window.


okay!! NEW PROBLEM!! PLEASE HELP!! I HAVE A FEW ANTS ON MY FLOWERS!!!!! THERE ARENT ALOT, MAYBE 10 IN ALL. SOME OF THEM WENT INTO THE THE FLOWER, AND ONE WENT INTO THE BACK THING ON THE BACK OF THE FLOWER, I GOT THEM ALL OFF/OUT BUT ONE OF THE FLOWERS IS NOW BROWN IDK IF THE BROWN FLOWER IS DUE TO THE ANTS, I THINK IT MIGHT JUST BE OLDER

[Becca]

I think a south-east window would be good. Sounds like your humidity should be fine for them as well.

Don't know what to say about the ants. I would think they would help with pollination of your plants. If that is not what you are wanting them maybe try some ant bait.

[Pilot]

In general, if you have a pest, they are there for food. Remove the pest and you remove the food. I'd relocate the plant-- hang it possibly-- so that the ants cant get to the sweetness of the blooms, which is likely what they seek.

[Call_Me_Bob]

i figured out what they wanted!! they wanted mealy bugs !! i called asiatica, and im exchanging for healthy plants on friday. as for the ants, they went down the back "horn" of the flower, so im guess that is how they get polinated.

well, the windows are real close to each other. so you get one, you get the other. so thats what i get. is that ok?

[mspatt]

I just went outside to count my neos. I have seven plants--not a huge collection, but the point is that most are either potted in the traditional way or in varying sizes of net baskets with very loose sphagnum--just enough for support. (I'm not so good at making the traditional mounds). I take the easy way out...

And I agree with everyone else. They are not hard to grow. I think they are easier than phals and they have an aura about them that will make them one of your favorites!!

[Call_Me_Bob]

i love them! im so glad i didnt repot as soon as i got them though, b/c then i wouldnt be able to exchange them for nice ones.

anyways, i have a small wooden hanging basket that should be just the right size. whatmedium should i use? i plan on using the hanging basket, but idk what to put inside

[mspatt]

I'm no expert, but all I use is sphagnum. Loose sphagnum. This hold moisture to the roots, and at the same time, allows for air circulation--air circulation is what the traditional potting method is aiming at...

I think they like the baskets or net pots, too. One of mine is blooming now and I was surprised--I didn't know they bloomed in summer!

[Call_Me_Bob]

so if i put spagh around the roots lightly in the basket, it should be fine? someone told me to put lava rock around the roots, to keep its in the basket, otherwise wouldnt it fall out?