1st Neofinetia Falcata for me - Orchid Board

Ranchnanny · #1 10-02-2008, 02:31 PM

Yesterday I recieved my very 1st Neofinetia Falcata 'Higashi De Miyako' from Asiatica Nursery.

It was in a 2.5" pot and I want to pot it in the Japanese way on a mound of moss. I tried last night to get that pot ready but I am having trouble. I moistened the moss and covered a small pot inverted in a clay pot. Should I wait to remove the inverted pot until the moss is dry?
It sure looks easy online but its not whew!!

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks - Sheridan

LinhT · #2 10-02-2008, 04:53 PM

Hi Sheridan

Sorry, I'm not a fan of using the inverted pot method but I think Shakkai pots hers up using this method. And yes, I believe she waits for the moss to dry so that she has a "mold" to work with, makes it a little easier. I'm too lazy to wait for the moss to dry and it would take me forever doing mine this way

I just use a filled bottle of drinking water (make sure the cap is on tight). Pack down a wad of wet moss about 4 inches in diameter and put it over the cap. Press it down on the cap so it conforms to the shape somewhat. Put the roots over the mound of moss. Take several strands of wet moss to form a "sheet" about 6 inches long and maybe 3 inches wide. Start wrapping from one side to the other. Make another sheet and repeat it on the other side. When you wrap, press the moss down, applying enough pressure for it to hold it's place. Then you can remove it carefully from the bottle and stick into the pot. Use your plant tag to tuck in the sides.

Since Shakkai uses the inverted pot method, hopefully she can give you some assistance on it. If you're still having trouble, I could probably send you video or pictures of the process from my flickr account, just let me know.

shakkai · #3 10-02-2008, 06:29 PM

Hi there! Congrats on the new Neo!!

Yes, I do use the inverted pot method. It was just too fiddly trying to get the moss to stay put over a bottle. If the moss is placed carefully over an inverted pot and then another (very slightly larger) pot is placed over it, leave it until the moss dries and it forms a great 'base' to put the Neos roots over, as it holds its shape really well. Then you can wrap the 'sheets' of moss over the roots like LinhT describes.

gmdiaz · #4 10-02-2008, 06:43 PM

A new Neo!!!

Try NOT to squash the nice little cavity that you make, when you twist it iinto the pot. . .you sure do want those roots to get lots of air!

shams · #5 10-02-2008, 08:14 PM

I never waited till the moss was dry

But I did squeeze out most of the water though. As long as the ball is slightly bigger than the opening of your pot, it should hold. I currentyl don't use the moss balls, because I have a bad habit of overwatering, and it's not so nice in some of the pots I have

Ranchnanny · #6 10-02-2008, 08:16 PM

Thanks everyone for your help. So far I have the inverted pot covered with moss the outer layer was dry this morning but I couldn't get the pot out.

so I will wait a few more days.

I tired for several days to find a Neo pot something suitable for this neo but could not find anything in town or online. Most were out of stock. So I have a clay pot its short with large holes on the sides and a large hole on the bottom. Until I find the exact pot I am looking for this will have to do.
Wish me luck....nothing ventured nothing gained.

Sheridan

mspatt · #7 10-05-2008, 07:50 PM

I just got a Shu Ten Nou from NWO and Dr. Lehr had it potted in the traditional Japanese style. I would like to hear some opinions from people who do not use the traditional method. I have seen some gorgeous plants in plain old Vanda baskets and am considering doing that with mine--though his potting is a work of art and I kind of hate to destroy it...

shams · #8 10-05-2008, 09:12 PM

Hey mspatt!

Congrats on your Shotennou! Is there a particular reason you don't want it on a moss ball? they are super cute up there

That being said, I don't have any of my neos on moss balls, because I over water, and I could see the roots were suffering when I checked them. But then... my neos are in cymbidium pots, so the drainage wasn't as wonderful as it could have been. Mine are currently in regular Shultz Orchid Mix from walmart. They seem to like it

There is a pic of them on the 3rd page of this thread: http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ld-have-3.html

mspatt · #9 10-05-2008, 10:32 PM

Shams, The reason I don't want to keep them in the balls is the same one you have. I can't judge when to water when the poor chid is in moss. I have one neo that is mounted and doing wonderfully, so maybe I should do the same thing here. The object is air circulation and I can get that with a basket or a mount.
It's good to know that they like Schultz's though--so do I (but I have an orchid friend who thinks it is the kiss of death--go figure). Anyway, thanks for your response...

Ranchnanny · #10 10-05-2008, 11:25 PM

Well the Neo bug has bitten me and I am looking for one that has the pink stems and one with yellow flowers.
Would like to hear where all of you fellow OB's have purchased your Neo's. I think I am going to try my hand at mounting one and then growing one in a vanda basket.

Sheridan