Why is my Neofinetia Fugaku losing its variegation?

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Shadeflower

This has nothing to do with the light levels.

Most people would call this normal neo behavior.

But ps the same variety can have purple bases or not... Can be verified with pictures online

furthermore the purple can spread and not just fill the base but reach all the way to the leaf tip.

Your first comment is not entirely true from my experience, jiku color can be affected by light levels. I have a green Fugaku with a usually slightly pigmented jiku. When light get increased (usually when I turn on the supplemental lights in the fall) the pigmentation becomes very dark and spreads slightly further up, while the leaves remain uniform green.

[Shadeflower]

ah true camille. And you are absolutely correct. Maybe that is why we can see differences in that area between different growers.
I know it is going o occupy me for the next year to find out more about this coloring (my 2022 project) but doubt I will learn much new in that time.

[RoseSD]

This pink neof is putting out new pink toot tips on the "side" of two existing roots (they are usually covered under moss. Dies it mean I should repot the plant to cover the new root tips?

[Shadeflower]

no but try to get it to grow into the pot. So remove some bark underneath it and place a large piece over it just to keep it from growing out the pot or keep an eye on it and make sure to direct it once it reaches the pot edge as most time it just grows over and out. Not the end of the world but it works better in the pot and isn't in the way then

ps nice looking neo and root, I even spot 2 roots.

[Roberta]

Remember, Neos are Vandas... they LIKE to have roots in the air. Those pink root tips are part of the charm of the plants that have them. Don't hide/smother them!!!

In fact, in the traditional moss-mound potting of Neos, the various root-tip colors are a characteristic of the various varieties.... they are not hidden.

[RoseSD]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Remember, Neos are Vandas... they LIKE to have roots in the air. Those pink root tips are part of the charm of the plants that have them. Don't hide/smother them!!!

In fact, in the traditional moss-mound potting of Neos, the various root-tip colors are a characteristic of the various varieties.... they are not hidden.

I would if the orchid has more roots under. But it has only two long roots under the bark and I think it would help to have more longer roots established inside. Good news is that I found two new tips ready to show up from the stem. I will let those new roots go outside if they wish.

Photo is from exactly one month ago. It seems to like the moss over bark setting so it will get it for now.

[Roberta]

Yes, let the orchid do what it will. My advice is the same as for all the others... first observe before you intervene. Neos are strong little orchids. Yours is doing very well, just keep giving the care that you have been giving it, and see what it does... growing roots is great! And roots in the air is what Vandas like(and Neos are little Vandas)