Growing my Neo in a glass vase

[susiep]

Ok, here are of my neo. I got it at the Redlands show in May from Martin Motes. There are actually 2 plants and they were blooming when I got them. They were together in this little, tiny black plastic basket inside another little black plastic basket. There were a couple roots starting to come through the bottom so I found a vase to put it in that would hold up the basket and let the roots hang down and not get damaged until I could repot or mount or whatever. That was May and they are still in the vase. I am lazy about repotting. I think they like it in the vase. The roots are longer. I put some moss in the bottom and keep it wet. The roots grew down to it. I keep it in the bathroom and just rinse it good every couple days. It looks too little to put outside in the heat but I hope to put it outside eventually. The first 2 pics are from May and the second 2 are from now (no flash so it looks orange). I just noticed it really hasn't grown much. They are really slow growing, right?

[Becca]

Wow thanks for the pictures! There seems to be so many ways of growing culture for the Neo's! Even mounted with moss around the roots, they still don't seem super happy...but I think the problem is they dry out quickly but I am still scared of rotting the roots tyring to keep them moist enough....I bet with your method they really love the moisture. I have to grow in a terrarium since it is so dry where I live....not sure if mine would be happy this way or not. Thanks for sharing with us!

[unhappykat]

This looks fun, I might try this with an extra fan have. Do you let the roots dry out completely in the vase or just get slightly damp before you water.

[susiep]

Well, it's more like sometimes it's dried out because I forget to water. That's why I keep the moss in there. When it's getting dry or crispy on the edges, it's time to water. Sometimes I just take the little basket out and soak the whole plant in the sink for an hour or so. It seems to be very hardy.

[shakkai]

Susie, there was mention recently on another thread about temps and growing Neos. Just wondering how your's are doing? What's the temperature range where you are growing them?

[susiep]

Ok, thanks for asking! They are growing in the bathroom which has a lot of light but maybe not enough to bloom. The temp is probably a constant 75 F, which maybe isn't too good either. I am thinking of moving it outside this winter. Too hot and rainy here right now.

[shakkai]

Thanks! I think its a great idea to keep this outside in winter where you are. I have been told that it is the winter temperatures and light that trigger flowrering, so it sounds like you will hit just the right combinations!

Can't wait to see those blooms next year!!

[Grandma M]

Susiep, I noticed that you have the two different colors in the same pot. Can the two be separated and planted individually? If you want to do that at a later date, they might be very difficult to separate, unless you prefer them grown together.

Marilyn

[susiep]

Oh I see what you mean... the picture above. I wish they were different, but no, they are exactly the same. That was an indoor picture with very poor light. That was an old flower about to fall off which had turned yellowish. The camera made it appear very yellow. Both plants had white flowers.

I still think about separating them. But, it was nice having twice the flowers at one time. They don't have too many roots yet so I have time to decide. How do you have yours, potted or mounted?

[Grandma M]

Susiep.

I don't do worth a hoot with mounted plants. One by one I have taken my bulbos and potted them up. Then they begin to grow for me. I guess I dont have enough humidity for mounted plants.

I have 4 Neos now, two in the traditional spag potting, and two in regular bark mix. I'm watching them, but I think the potted ones do better for me with my growing conditions, in my home. I'll keep close watch and report after about 6 months.

Marilyn