Any advice for Neofinetia potting mix?

[AshKleigh]

I recently ordered a Neofinetia hybrid via amazon and it will be arriving bare root. I've never had this kind of orchid before (only a den and a few phals) and am clueless on how to pot it! I know the traditional way is to pot in a sphagnum moss mound but I fear I will overwater. Was wondering if anyone has any advice on what potting mix I should use? Heads up, I am still a newbie. Also this is my first thread so hello everyone!

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

There are a lot of members here who love this plant. I'm sure others will be along shortly.

It grows well in a lot of different media used for orchids, so you don't have to worry too much. I have one in bark. I have Neofinetia hybrids bare-root in baskets, and also in bark.

There is an entire forum here on Orchid Board devoted to Neofinetias. You can learn a lot reading some of the threads:

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ce-neofinetia/

Again, Welcome!

[jcec1]

I grow mine bare root in a vase like all my other vandas (which this is now classed as). I did have one in bark, but the roots started rotting as it stayed too damp. I never have anything in moss as I can't get the watering right.

[jkofferdahl]

Neofinetias are wonderful miniatures, and with just a minimum amount of care they seem to thrive. I have three, each potted a bit differently. One is in a small basket with sphagnum, one in a plastic pot with small bark chunks, and one (from Andy's) is mounted. Each is thriving so I can't really say one method is better than another. Maybe it just comes to ease for you, then. If you're worried about over-watering then either use a basket and some sphagnum or a well-drained pot and small-chunk bark.

[estación seca]

I would say first find out their seasonal temperature-water requirements, then figure out which kind of potting medium will work for you. Moss for Neos is good for people who are able to not water when they shouldn't water, but not so good for people who are compelled to water all the time.

I forgot about this good information:
https://newworldorchids.com/neofinetia-care-sheet/

[AshKleigh]

Wow thank you all so much!

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I would say first find out their seasonal temperature-water requirements, then figure out which kind of potting medium will work for you. Moss for Neos is good for people who are able to not water when they shouldn't water, but not so good for people who are compelled to water all the time.

I forgot about this good information:
https://newworldorchids.com/neofinetia-care-sheet/

Normally I agree completely, but in baskets and basket pots it works. I have no doubt that countless innocent orchids have gone to their death due to being overwatered in sphagnum stuffed into plastic grow-pots. I simply don't understand why commercial growers ship their plants like this.

I have numerous Phals set in sphagnum, but in plastic baskets rather than closed pots. The sphagnum dries out in a couple of days due to the excellent air flow. Neos like to get to just dry before again being watered, and for me these plastic baskets and sphagnum work ideally for smaller plants.

[AshKleigh]

I'm going to pot in a basket with some sphag. This helped me tons. Thanks again. Advice from experienced growers makes all the difference!