Neofinetia Falcata in S/H

[Kai Adamson]

Hi everyone,

I know some older threads have touched on this, but I'm looking for all the feedback I can get on the subject.

I've been doing a lot of research on the S/H technique over at First Ray's, and ate up just about every thread I could find here at the board - and elsewhere.

I won't get too deeply into specifics just yet, but my indoor growing conditions seem not to favor the traditional sphagnum mound culture. The moss attracts mold and pests like crazy, and many of the Neos I buy online (and from a local nursery who sells them) are already infested with one or the other - sometimes both.

While I am able to adjust certain conditions that I think are responsible for the problem of mold growth, such as air circulation, light levels, and the PH of my tap (city) water so that it jives with the fertilizing regimen while not over or under watering, there are some obstacles (limited space, limited ideally-lit areas, poor airflow in wintertime) that have led me to really loathe the sphagnum and consider S/H as a viable method.

I would love some updates from people who have tried Neos in S/H. If things went well, lets see some pics! More importantly, how long have those things been successful and what are the growing conditions like? If things went bad, and you suspect you know why, lets hear it! If you don't, maybe we can figure out why.

So far, I've seen mixed results. But, I refuse to believe that long term success for Neos in S/H is unattainable.

Thanks in advance!

Kai A.

[Discus]

Hi Kai,

I haven't tried a Neofinetia in S/H - I'm still waiting to get some S/H media; received my first Neo last week, so am a rank Neo-phyte... (sorry!) My Neo was supplied in bark, and it's staying in there for a while; it's roots looked quite unhappy, but some new ones are on their way...

What's your city tap water like? I suspect you'll have generally better long-term success in S/H if you start with "known good" water - i.e. RO, and then use complete fertilisers designed for that water (like RO MSU that Ray sells). I think a lot of California tap water can be quite hard and full of minerals, given all that hot sun? Our water here is terrible and would probably kill sensitive plants - I've been buying RO water for all my plants for a few months now.

If you haven't done so, check the pH and conductivity of your tap water.

I'm actually waiting for both an RO unit and some RO MSU, the first from a supplier here in South Africa, and the fertiliser from Ray.

I'm sure someone on OB has one or more neos in S/H and will give you some feedback soon!

Oh, and whilst fresh outside air might be the ideal for "buoyant" air conditions, a fan helps out - you'll see them in most greenhouses, and they work just as well at home.

[DelawareJim]

Kai;

Some of us have had good luck growing Neos in S/H. Check out Kallima's thread with his experiences here.
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ydroponic.html

I have been growing divisions of a wild-type Fuuran and an Amami Island Fuuran in S/H successfully since last August. As with other species, timing has a lot to do with success. I haven't tried any named Fuukiran yet; one because they aren't big enough to divide, two because I'm not yet willing to test S/H on a couple hundred dollar plant.

Currently my 2 plants are putting out more new roots than I ever saw before, even more than the parent plants. New roots are all about 3/4 to 1 inch in about a week since they started. I water 2-3 times a week using MSU at 100ppm and once per week with straight well water. So now that they are initiating root growth, I water almost every other day. They've been living on a south facing windowsill that is shaded by an oak so they haven't gotten strong direct sun all day. The room during the winter is in the upper 60's during the day and drops into the upper 50's at night. I took pictures last weekend but haven't gotten them posted yet.

Cheers.
Jim

[Kai Adamson]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Hopefully we can get a few more people on here and maybe a photo or two up. I'll post a few of my own as soon as I get my new growing area arranged.

After doing some research here...
Neofinetia falcata Culture

and also here...
Neofinetia falcata -- samurai orchid

I am dismayed to learn that my outside environment here in Morro Bay, CA is almost a perfect match for Kagushima, Kyushu, Japan. Dismayed because I have zero available growing space outdoors. The only upside is that I dont have to worry about temperature or humidity - as long as the windows are open

So far, I have the following neos in S/H:
Yodomatsu
Kinginrasha
Amami
Mumeiakibana
Choseiden

I also plan to repot two Darwinara into S/H in the next day or so. I'll post updates and photos whenever time allows.

Kai

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by Kai Adamson

Thanks for the feedback guys. Hopefully we can get a few more people on here and maybe a photo or two up. I'll post a few of my own as soon as I get my new growing area arranged.

After doing some research here...
Neofinetia falcata Culture

and also here...
Neofinetia falcata -- samurai orchid

I am dismayed to learn that my outside environment here in Morro Bay, CA is almost a perfect match for Kagushima, Kyushu, Japan. Dismayed because I have zero available growing space outdoors. The only upside is that I dont have to worry about temperature or humidity - as long as the windows are open

So far, I have the following neos in S/H:
Yodomatsu
Kinginrasha
Amami
Mumeiakibana
Choseiden

I also plan to repot two Darwinara into S/H in the next day or so. I'll post updates and photos whenever time allows.

Kai

Hello Kai--

I have a nephew with the same name!

I use s/h extensively but I only have one neo and I grow it in vase culture-- my climate is not even close to yours-- quite dry actually-- but perhaps you might want to look into that. Also, what about a window box to hold your plants???

[nutgirl]

I grow mine S/H. Around Nov I stop flushing the pot and leave them in a cool/cold spot with as much light as possible.

I lightly water (not the S/H flush) occasionally.

About the first of Feb I start watering again. I currently have roots and new growth.

Maureen

[Kai Adamson]

Originally Posted by nutgirl

I grow mine S/H. Around Nov I stop flushing the pot and leave them in a cool/cold spot with as much light as possible.

I lightly water (not the S/H flush) occasionally.

About the first of Feb I start watering again. I currently have roots and new growth.

Maureen

This sounds perfect. It was odd to learn that Neos preferred higher light in their dormant state than in their actively growing one. Seems almost counter-intuitive. But when you realize that the trees they grow on in their natural habitat are often if not exclusively deciduous - it makes perfect sense.

What's your water like? Have you tested the PH with your choice of fert added? What kind of fert do you use and how often do you use it?

Kai

[nutgirl]

Well water and Grow More 20-10-20 urea free orchid food.

Weekly flush at around 130ppm

No idea on the ph.


Maureen

[Kai Adamson]

Originally Posted by Pilot

Hello Kai--

I have a nephew with the same name!

I use s/h extensively but I only have one neo and I grow it in vase culture-- my climate is not even close to yours-- quite dry actually-- but perhaps you might want to look into that. Also, what about a window box to hold your plants???

Hi Pilot,

Right now I'm using a 7' tall wrought iron baker's rack. Its great because its only 14" wide. Also, I can attach wire hooks w/net baskets to the latticed, dome-like top. In the future I plan to get another one just like it, but the budget doesn't allow for this or any other goodies right now.

Actually, I've been plundering the local dollar store for plastic pots I can convert to S/H. My favorite right now is a 99 cent coffee thermos with a transparent exterior shell that you can slip pictures of your kids into...or whatever. I toss the actual hot liquid reservoir, along with the lid, so it is kind of wasteful. But they're not exactly built to last as hot beverage holders - so they'd eventually end up in the trash anyway. I like them because I can trim down the top for stoutness if I need to - without sacrificing rigidity. In other words, they're fairly thick.