Nishidemiyako with only two roots

[RicardoG]

Hi,
I just bought my first Nishidemiyako, but it has only two roots, these are not that big and one of them has a black tip, should I be worried? I placed it on sphagnum moss.

Do you have any suggestion on how often should it be watered and how much sun should it receive?

[Shoreguy]

Generally a single growth plant that is otherwise healthy, can be supported by a good single root and given good culture will quickly begin to form additional roots especially during the growing season.

As to amount of light, any newly potted neo should be given reduced light as far as intensity. A bug screen or very thin curtain which allows light to come through is ideal and as you see new rooting activity, light can be gradually increased over a month or two by placing closer to window or removing other plants shading it.

I don't grow in sphag but suggest not to keep it overly wet which is the biggest error in growing in that medium. How often a neo should be watered is impossible to answer as many variables are involved. I grow in bark mix and use the weight of the pot as a indication of when to water as well as predicted sunshine for the current day and next. I do not believe digging your finger into the medium is a good way as it can damage or at least disturb roots.

[RicardoG]

Shoreguy thank you for your answer. I will pay attention to the humidity of the sphagnum so I don't overwater it.

[camille1585]

I grow Neofinetia in sphagnum moss as well, though with the traditional hollow mounds. Ideally you want to water once the surface moss is crispy and inside of the pot is just barely damp. In the winter I let them get completely dry and don't water the normal way because Neos hate moss which stays wet for too long, and in the winter moss dries slowly. In the winter heavily mist the moss every few days so that only the outer later is wet.

As to only having 2 roots, with good care these plants recover rather easily. One plant I recieved last year had just one root, and now the plant has at least a dozen healthy roots.

I have the similar Higashidemiako, and it tolerates less light than the green leaf Neos. If you start to see excessive red pigmentation, particularily on the leaf tips and underside of the leaves, then it's too much light. Bright diffused light seems best for these types with white variegation (so very little direct sun, even for a healthy plant with many roots).

[RicardoG]

Hi Camille,
Thank you for the info, I watered it yesterday morning and this morning the moss was crisp so I watered it again.

I guess it has good ventilation at the roots now.

[Hakumin]

Originally Posted by RicardoG

Hi Camille,
Thank you for the info, I watered it yesterday morning and this morning the moss was crisp so I watered it again.

I guess it has good ventilation at the roots now.

Just make sure you check both the inside and outside of the moss. There are circumstances where the inside of the moss will still be fairly wet even when the outside is crunchy dry.