My first Neos

[SueK]

Originally Posted by Leisurely

Sue, I wish I lived in Australia so I could collect Sarcochilus. I believe they rival Neofinetias.

Sandy you might want to try Darwinara Charm 'Blue Star' (Neof. falcata x Vasco Thom Yuen Hae) or Renanetia Sunrise (Neof. falcata x Renanthera Imschootiana. Darwinara Charm is a lavender blue and Renanetia Sunrise is an orange/red. Both are prolific bloomers. Both of my plants have been in continuous bloom since spring. I grow them like a Vanda.

Hi Jerry

When I looked at the Neo plants I thought they looked a lot like sarcs too and Sarcs are small growers as well. I would have thought sarcs would be readily available anywhere in the USA. If not, I am very surprised. I have a Sarc falcatus in bloom now and it has a lovely perfume. I have it mounted on a piece of cork and it's not too fussy. Sarcs like lower light. From some of the comments about Neos and their potting medium, they seem to be a bit fussy, but I want to try one anyway. I will keep my eyes open.


Sue

[SueK]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Your Neos love very nice!! I'm also one of the Neo freaks here, although I only have 2 for now! I have a HUGE wishlist though.
What I find so attractive about them is the huge variety of colors and forms. Plus, they look so cute on their little moss mounds!

Camille

Because Neos are not the rage here in Oz I don't know anything about them, so what is the idea of the moss mound? I have never seen that before on any other orchid.

I went through my collection of orchid vendors catalogues that I have been hoarding over the years and couldn't find a Neo in any of them, but someone here in Oz will have them for sure. Problem is, all this talk about all the different types of spag and which is best for the Neos is a bit scarey. They sound like very fussy little devils.



Sue

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by SueK

Camille

Because Neos are not the rage here in Oz I don't know anything about them, so what is the idea of the moss mound? I have never seen that before on any other orchid.

I went through my collection of orchid vendors catalogues that I have been hoarding over the years and couldn't find a Neo in any of them, but someone here in Oz will have them for sure. Problem is, all this talk about all the different types of spag and which is best for the Neos is a bit scarey. They sound like very fussy little devils.



Sue

Sue, I think that using moss mounds is nothing more than the traditional japanese potting method. You can pot it in bark if you prefer, or mount it even. They do well like that too. Not using moss would probably be easier for me since the good moss is hard to get here, but I like how my japanese orchids look when potted the traditional way. They look so exotic next to my other orchids!
And they are far from being 'fussy little devils' I'm finding them to be some of the easiest orchids to grow.

[Leisurely]

Camille, they thrive here in Florida. Although they will grow well in low light such as you would provide for Phals, they also do quite well in high light such as a Vanda. I grow all of mine in net baskets with a little sphagnum moss just laid in without tucking and they are hung with the Vandas.

Sue, I tried Sarcs before computer information was so available and I failed drastically. I only had about three or four and I killed them. With all of the information that is available now, and a little more knowledge that I have, I think I could grow them. The temperatures here in July, Aug. and Sept. are a little higher than they like but I think I could solve that problem by putting them under the benches during that period. It is a lot cooler in the greenhouse at ground level and they would like that. Anyhow, I just ordered Sarco Fitzhart, Fitzgeraldii and hartmanii from Santa Barbara Orchids in California. Wish me the good fortune to be successful.

[SueK]

Originally Posted by Leisurely

Camille, they thrive here in Florida. Although they will grow well in low light such as you would provide for Phals, they also do quite well in high light such as a Vanda. I grow all of mine in net baskets with a little sphagnum moss just laid in without tucking and they are hung with the Vandas.

Sue, I tried Sarcs before computer information was so available and I failed drastically. I only had about three or four and I killed them. With all of the information that is available now, and a little more knowledge that I have, I think I could grow them. The temperatures here in July, Aug. and Sept. are a little higher than they like but I think I could solve that problem by putting them under the benches during that period. It is a lot cooler in the greenhouse at ground level and they would like that. Anyhow, I just ordered Sarco Fitzhart, Fitzgeraldii and hartmanii from Santa Barbara Orchids in California. Wish me the good fortune to be successful.

I live in Brisbane Australia and the temps here in summer sometimes reach 35 degrees celsius which is very hot, and they do survive. We have a very good sarc grower in our club and he keeps his sarcs under the bench in his greenhouse.

Last year our club did a field trip and we visited a very good native orchid nursery up North. He keeps his sarcs under 80% shade. I have a couple in the greenhouse under the bench, but they haven't flowered yet. At least they are still alive. I have a Sarc falcatus which is mounted on cork and it is in flower right now, but it doesn't live in greenhouse. It lives in a small hothouse under a pergola, which means low light and obviously this is important.

Sarcs are lovely so

Sue

[Marissa]

Thanks everyone for all the nice comments.

Originally Posted by gmdiaz

Love your new Neos in their pretty pots!!

What kind are they, do you know?

No, at this time I don't know what they are, as far as I know the flowers were white.

Originally Posted by LinhT

Marissa, it all depends on what kind of neo you are looking for. The more common varieties are pretty affordable for the most part. The main vendors to check out (if you're looking for more variety to choose from) are Seed Engei (seller name "Japaneseorchids" on ebay, they go out to CA for shows often too), newworldorchids.com and orchidweb.com. Glenn at NWO has a more complete listing of his inventory so maybe you can start by checking his list. I bet if you emailed Glenn and gave him a description of your heart's desire, he could hook you up with something nice. Jason (orchidweb.com) only has 1/3 to 1/2 of his listed so it's hard to tell what he has unless you email him or go to the nursery. He has pretty much everything from really nice and cheapy to "out of this world" expensive. He sold a neo (Houmeiden, I think) last year for $3500. I am one of his neo "crazies" but I was NOT the one who bought that. If you're looking for suggestions on specific ones, I'm sure gmdiaz, shakkai and I would be happy to help you shop

I'm definitely going to check those sites. I would love to have those bean leaf kind, but totally crazy on all of them. And yeah, including those Sedirea Japonica.

[LinhT]

Originally Posted by Marissa

I got from a local Bonsai Nursery.

Hey
I was gonna ask you this like a month ago and totally forgot about it.
Where did you get that jade colored green pot? That one in the last 2 pics?? And how big is it (height & width)?

[Marissa]

Originally Posted by LinhT

Hey
I was gonna ask you this like a month ago and totally forgot about it.
Where did you get that jade colored green pot? That one in the last 2 pics?? And how big is it (height & width)?

I got it from the same Bonsai Nursery for $5. It is 3 1/2 inch tall and 4 1/2 inch in diameter. They have different designs and sizes also. I went there yesterday and got another one which is 3x4. The also carry Asian Cymbidium pots. They also have different varieties of Neos (no tag) and Dendrobium moliforme but they sell them for $80 which I believe is a little pricey.

[LinhT]

Originally Posted by Marissa

I got it from the same Bonsai Nursery for $5. It is 3 1/2 inch tall and 4 1/2 inch in diameter. They have different designs and sizes also. I went there yesterday and got another one which is 3x4. The also carry Asian Cymbidium pots. They also have different varieties of Neos (no tag) and Dendrobium moliforme but they sell them for $80 which I believe is a little pricey.

A NOID neo for $80?!?! You're right, that's crazy.That plant better be bigger than my head!