Neofinetia; how to pot properly?

[Phyrex]

I'm wondering if this guy is potted correctly. I filled a 4" pot with about 15 packing peanuts and put some sphag and the plant on top of it. I've been pondering using a small ceramic pot with a very small ceramic pot or top of a small 330ml water bottle as a cone for under the roots. Doesn't the upsidedown pot restrict the water from running outside the bigger pot because it is blocking the flow? or is it usually put on top of something else like pebbles or such?

If anyone has a good reference to potting these guys please don't hesitate to PM me. I also like the idea of a vanda basket for this guy just not sure what the best way of potting it is?

Also do I need to mist this guy every morning?

[bkim]

This is the traditional way of potting up a Neo.

Neofinetia potting

[littlefrog]

I like mounting them on cork... Not traditional, but it works great.

[bonsai1504]

i'd go with mounting. the moss "mound" is interesting but i find it hard to do.

[Ross]

I have one mounted and three on the traditional Japanese mounds. I definitely agree the mounted is easier to care for. I'm still not sure exactly how to handle the moss mound. I have a strong suspicion I am overwatering.

[caseydoll]

I was thinking of repotting mine in some chc mix and being done with it! I don't think that sphag likes me!

[kckerobe]

I cheated when I repotted my Neo in traditional way. I also had problem winding moss around the ever-wild roots in a cone shape, so I simply inverted a 2.5" terra-cotta pot inside the bigger 4" pot, propped the plant on top, spread the roots around the "mount", pile/packed sphag moss on the roots and around the mount. You definately want to soak the moss first and squeaze them dry when you potting for easier handling. The water drains just fine since the inverted pot isn't seal tight and the drain hole of the smaller pot is right below the plant to give the air pocket that real traditional potting method suggested.

[philoserenus]

hmm i mounted one and i used s/h for the other in the bottom of a water bottle ^^ and it seems to love it, 8 buds currently

[bkim]

There are several things to consider when doing a traditional sphag mound.

Get the best quality sphag you can find. They come in different grades. AAA is the absolute minimum grade you should use. AAAAA is expensive but worth it IMO. It is long, tough, and not as "fluffy" so it doesn't retain as much water as the lower grades. Because of this, its easier to create great looking mounds with high grade sphag. If you get the lower quality stuff, you need to cut back on the amount you use as it will retain too much moisture and it won't be porous enough to allow air circulation. You want to have just enough sphag on the inside and outside to barely cover the roots. Don't worry if you have roots that won't fit in the mound. Also the base of the plant should be above the mound, not in it.

Neos are very tolerant and will adapt to a wide array of mediums. Do what works for you. One of my Neos is potted in gravel. It has higher watering requirements but it does very well.

Gwen is the resident expert on Neos. I believe she uses a fine fir bark mix and her Neos look fantastic.

Let us know what you decide, we'd love to hear it.

[Phyrex]

The majority of my chids are in fine/medium bark, I might give that or S/H a try. Do you guys mist every day?