Stem Rot on Neofinetia Falcata?
 

Hi,

Recently I received a new Neofinetia Falcata. I was examining the orchid, and I was wondering if it has stem rot?

I am not as familiar with Neofinetia Falcata orchids as I am other orchid species. If it is stem rot then this would be the first time I have had this issue with any of my orchids.

I have attached photos. The seller sent me this orchid tied with 2 strings, which is keeping 3 plants together. It was planted in basically potting soil so I decided to repot.

Any help and/or advice is greatly appreciated! I really want to save this beauty!

Thanks!

If it's firm, and the leaves are attached well, I doubt it's rot. If mushy, it's probably rot.

The stems do feel firm, and the leaves seem well attached.

Do you think it could be 'stained' from the potting soil? The stems were planted rather deep.

I'm no Neo expert (but do own a dozen different ones) and many green varieties naturally have leaves with a darker base, and they seem more noticeable under high light conditions. So there could be some of that going on. There could also be some staining as you also think.

I agree with Camille. It is just typical anthocyanin at the base. Absolutely non issue. I would however think twice before getting neos from a grower who plants them in anything like potting soil unless you want the plant so badly you are willing to risk having problems with it.

To display photos upright, if you can, crop or reshape photos in a square before uploading.

Your Neo looks good to me. I even see a spike forming! But I agree with the above statement. Neos can grow in a range of potting mixes but... Dirt is not one of them.

Instead of growing in the traditional hollow sphagnum mound, I prefer a mix of bark (Orchiata Classic size), and shredded tree fern, medium shred broken down to 1/2 to 3/4 inch size and larger size bark in the bottom of the pot for drainage.

If you water and feed appropriately, (that is not over feed which causes more rapid breakdown of the medium), this can last at least 5 years or longer before breaking down.

I hear those growing with sphagnum frequently repot every year or even more frequently.

If you are referring to the spike on my Neof. Yeoje, that spike has been aborted by the plant do to stress from being shipped from South Korea. I am glad the plant took that action in order to enable it to devote its energy in repairing any root damage from repoting and growing more roots. I had been considering clipping it off myself but I like that the plant decided to do it.