my Neofinetia falcata in semi-hydroponic

[s.kallima]

Sorry I was not sure if I should post in S/H forum or ths one...

I got my first N. falcata in the beginning of August, and it was done flowering. It had 8 growths, 3 of them had a new leaf just coming out. I repotted it in S/H.
It seems to like it so far, now it has new leaves on 7 of the 8 growths, and lots of new roots coming out + 2 small growths starting at the base of other ones.
The tips of aerial new roots are reddish, but seem to turn green while growing longer... and the roots in the hydroton have green tips.

I grow it on a windowsill with an extra fluorescent 40W spot, between 60 to 70% humidity (on a humidity tray, and in Vancouver BC ), and actual temperatures day: 68-73ºF and night: 64-68ºF. I mist it every morning when I'm around, and water once a week with a mix of hydroponic fertiliser 5-0-1 and 0-5-4 (at 130 ppm Nitrogen = 2 tsp of each per gallon) flushing the reserve.

I am thinking of putting it outside for the winter on a covered patio, as long as it doesn't go below 39ºF. Here in Vancouver BC winters are very humid !!! and not too cold, I think it might like it.

[Sandy4453]

Very nice s.kallima. I've been shopping around for my first neo and never thought to put into s/h. Keep posting updates on how yours does.

I think your plant will do well on the patio! Here's a link with some interesting info...Neofinetia

[LinhT]

Wow! Yours looks really happy in S/H. I havent' tried the S/H thing for any of my neos or others orchids yet so I'm curious to see how your neo does by next summer. I was always told the neos need a cool and dry rest in the winter to get the best "bloomage". Also, I thought they needed to stay pretty dry when the temps dip down that low (30s/40s). Keep us posted on your progress!

BTW, thanks for posting your detailed growing conditions. Gweniran (gmdiaz) will love it! And the rest of us on the Neo forum do too!

[shakkai]

I am really glad you posted this here! I don't tend to read the S/H threads much, as I don't really grow any of my orchids that way. But it is interesting to see how it is doing for you. I would think that your climate (as is mine) is well suited to growing these plants. I was going to try growing one outside attached to a tree next spring.

[DelawareJim]

I'm curious how your Neo has been doing. I tried a division in semi-hydro onceand I lost it.

Thanks.
Cheers.
Jim

[s.kallima]

Hi Jim,

I am glad you asked, I forgot to update this thread... 2 years later the plant is doing really great ! It grew a lot of new leaves on each fan, bloomed last summer (1 spike) and is growing at least 3 spikes this month
Here are a few pics to illustrate this.
I offered a division of this plant to my parents in 2009, in a small S/H pot, and it is also doing great.

As you can notice on the picture, the plant is in a high pot, so the top third of the pellets dries up very quickly
As for the culture, I spray the plant every day during growing season, in order to get the top of the pellets moist, water heavily once a week with a 125 ppm N solution, and in late fall, I flush several times the pot with clear water, empty the reservoir at the bottom, and let the whole pot dry in a cold room and bright exposure with only a little spray on the leaves once in a while, until spring.

The plant with root system in october 2009 :


The bloom in July 2009:


The division given to my Mum:

[RosieC]

Wow, it's looking really happy. Great growing!

[nutgirl]

I'm so glad you posted this.
I got my first Neofinitia this year and was really wondering about trying this. Obviously they like it a lot.

Thank for the growing details!

Maureen

[Call_Me_Bob]

look at those roots!! i really wanna try this now!

[Jeff9]

that's ridiculous

very nice looking plant