Neofinetia falcata f. Amami Island 'Starburst'

[Roberta]

OK, it's a Vanda... still resisting that name change... I "inherited" this one about 6 years ago. At that time it already looked like this - roots tightly wound around a 1 gallon (8 L) plastic pot, with roots growing into the drain holes. I could see no way of separating the plant from the pot without damaging roots, so I just left it. Knowing the situation of the previous owner (elderly, disabled) I am sure that it hadn't been repotted for some years before that. I doubt very much that there is anything except maybe some mud inside the pot, but the roots are growing quite happily around the outside and hanging down, growing some more. There's some "Spanish moss" (Tillandsia usenoides) entwined in the roots, I just remove the excess as it grows (before it reaches the ground)... there would be no way of getting it all out, and besides both the Neo and the Tillandsia are growing very well. So, I just let it do its thing and it rewards me with a gorgeous flush bloom every summer. An example of "It ain't broken, don't fix it".

[DirtyCoconuts]

this plant makes me very happy- you do the previous owner so proud with the care you have shown it, that is evident!

[Roberta]

Thanks. A friend and I took care of her collection for about 4 or 5 years after her manager had a disabling stroke. A semi-commercial nursery, there were hundreds (or maybe thousands) of Cyms and Catts and Paphs that absolutely HAD to be repotted... this one was always "deal with it some other time, don't think it's possible anyway". Clearly no harm was done, what I have done for this plant is what was done for it before... basically nothing except water (automatic sprinklers) Fertilizer maybe a couple of times a year, or not. Now it gets fertilized a bit more regularly, otherwise about the same.

[vegetalmatter]

just INCREDIBLE!! and great presentation, I wouldn't have known there is a plastic pot stuck in there

[Shoreguy]

There is real risk in growing such a large specimen, especially if grown outside during a portion of the year.

An insect infestation can explode if not caught in time.

You may wish to consider preventive measures with a “safe” insecticide before even seeing a problem. When finally visible, it may be too late!

An insecticidal soap might be the best option and wear a Covid mask when applying. If it can kill an insect, it certainly can be harmful to inhale.

If it were mine, I would separate one or two several growth divisions and grow indoors year round. This should assure survival of the plant.

[Roberta]

It has been growing totally outside for many years, probably its whole life - , I "met" it about 10 years ago and it was already a big and unruly plant. During its "formative years" (before I took possession of it) it received little care of any sort except for watering, at least for several years. (Climate both a bit hotter and colder than mine, inland a few more miles, city water a lot worse) It is so intimately associated with that core pot (on the outside) that anything that I would do is, at this point, more likely to damage it than help it. Grows on the pot, not in it. (I think the plant is holding the hanger, not the pot) I really don't have much in the way of insect problems on anything, actually. Only pest I have much issue with at all is scale, mostly on Catts, and this plant seems to immune to that. (Too tough and dry to be interesting to slugs, the other serious pest)

It is a wild child, a California kid...Tough as nails, very un-Japanese in its growth habit.

[Leafmite]

I love the roots like that! Before my dog destroyed mine, that was how I grew it...hanging in a plastic Vanda basket with the roots everywhere. With most plants, the roots are buried in dirt but with orchids, you have the opportunity to enjoy the roots (this is why I like to either mount the orchids or use basket pots).

[WaterWitchin]

I've been searching for a Neo I could afford for awhile now. I think you should pull off a bit of that and send to Kansas. I could preserve it for ya in the event things go awry!