Growing Neofinetia falcata in winter months

[Fuukiran]

In the wild, Neofinetia falcata is found on various Japanese Islands between 32 & 36 Degrees N Latitude, and the climate is much like that of the US Atlantic Coast.

In most cases, you will notice a decrease in growth in the winter months. This will partly depend on where you are located. Root tips will often stop growing, and the fans will slow down quite a bit.

Winter temperatures go down below 30F - but this is not recommended for culture! Temps can be anywhere from 45 to 65 at night, with an increase in the daytime of about 10F. Decrease watering & fertilizing during this period. We water in our greenhouse about once a week with only a light sprinkle. We have forced air heat, which dires the plants out quicker. We fertilize very lightly at this time every 6 weks or so. We use BioGold which is an organic fertilizer that does not burn the plant. Pellets can be soaked in water to make a tea, or place one or two into your growing media.

In Japan, some growers place the plants in a cardboard box in unheated garages for the winter!!!

In the spring you will see quite a bit of new growth starting in March. The roots will be thin at first, then quite a bit thicker when they start to grow again. They will want more water, fertilizer and heat at this time.

Of course, your growing conditions can be different. Some growers don't see any slowing of growth. We don't see any new growths at this time, but last year we added some new HID lights, and the plants bloomed throughout the winter. In nature, Neos grow epiphytically on deciduous trees. In the winter, the trees loose their leaves, so the plants see more light in the winter than in the summer.

If you have any questions on culture - post em here!

Glenn
New World Orchids

[Uechi]

Lovely little plants. I have one growing under T5 lights and it has bloomed twice in 7 months. It likes the lights and the 76 F Temp.

[Ross]

Glenn! Way to go! Glad you chose to join as there are lots of faithful purchasers here (myself included). I really look forward to your words of wisdom. If you get a chance in your busy schedule, would you post a culture sheet on the home page, articles? That would be great.

Now for the selfish personal info My Tamakongo has a flower bud slowly developing, but appears to be really slow. It has been visible for 3-4 weeks, but hasn't extended beyond the crotch of the leaves. The light is fairly bright (above 2000 foot candles most of time, it's in a south window in Cadillac) and water/fertilizer is when moss gets sort of dry, but not crunchy. Roots are still with green tips. The new green fans are doing just great and developing fine. Is this a slow-to-develop flowering cross?

[Becca]

Hi Glenn....I have been watering when the moss is crunchy on the top....is this ok for winter watering or can they be dry for longer periods in between watering? I don't want to cause anymore stress and I am afraid of over watering and also under watering.

[gmdiaz]

Dear Sir, it is just so awesome to find you posting here!!!! Hello & Welcome!

Thank you so much for the culture information and the offer to answer our questions! I was JUST going to email you about how to care for the Neos during the winter!

I know that we all SO want to take good care of these fantastic orchids. And can't stand not knowing what's going on with them, every step of the way, as they grow and flower. These plants are new to many of us!

Ross: I wonder about that too. Sometimes it's like the new growths or spikes peek out and then stall almost totally out. . .WEEKS go by and then all the sudden they're off again, growing madly. Glenn, are we doing something wrong? Or is this normal?

Becca: I am so worried about with holding TOO much water during the winter too!

Some of mine seem to have slowed down their need for as much water as I had been giving them during the spring and summer. . .so I've cut back but I don't want to cut back too much. While others seem to be just growing and spiking as usual and don't appear quite ready to rest.

How will I know if the sleepy ones are not receiving the water they need to stay alive and healthy during the winter months?

Kindest regards!

[cb977]

Hi Glenn, it's a pleasure to have you here!

I'm making this thread a "sticky" for easy access

[luckygrower]

Glenn, thanks so much for joining us, as you can tell we have a lot of Neo freaks here, with a lot of questions.
My question is.
When do you repot?, I heard that the moss should be changed in the fall or early winter.

[shams]

Welcome Glenn! It's so great to have you here!

I put all my neos into bark mix. I have a tendency to mist often (since they are around the vandas) so I was worried about the roots going bad. They don't seem to mind. They look quite smart, actually.... So... is it in the fall when they start to slow down? or closer to November?

[gmdiaz]

Originally Posted by cb977

Hi Glenn, it's a pleasure to have you here!

I'm making this thread a "sticky" for easy access

*big squeezy type hug*

[Fuukiran]

"moss is crunchy on the top....is this ok for winter watering "

Yes - if in doubt underwater. If the moss is very dry, you may need to water twice about 15 minutes apart.

"all the sudden they're off again, growing madly"
" is it in the fall when they start to slow down? or closer to November?"

This will partly depend on your location & growing conditions. The cooler it gets & the shorter the daylength the slower the growth. This is why under lights they may never slow down and grow and bloom all year round.

"I heard that the moss should be changed in the fall or early winter."

Spring is best before the new roots come out. Trying to re-moss with many roots is difficult. But they can be repotted at any time of year. If the moss goes bad, it's better to re-moss.

"tendency to mist often They don't seem to mind. They look quite smart,"
Misting should be no problem.

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