New to Neo questions (air roots, rock mounts, watering, light)

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by websherpa

I'm branching out a little while I nurse my existing trio of Neos through their winter. Just ordered from TG Orchids in BC:

1 x Sedirea japonica
1 x Brassavola Little Stars
1 x Coelogyne Brachyptera

(I am a fan of fragrant orchids, so always wanted to try more.)

I have Sedirea japonica and Brassavola Little Stars. I haven't tried Coelogyne. I grow Sedirea similar to Neos. Mine are grown in spaghnum moss, like Neo. In this grow style, I re-water when the moss is crispy. Like Phalaenopis cousins, I make sure I don't let water stay in the leaves--Sedirea are really easy to get crown rot.

I haven't gotten my Brassavola to bloom. I have a lot of root and leaf growth, but flowers? Nope. If you get your Brassa to flower please share your culture!

I really wish that the import/export rules to and from Canada were more relaxed when it comes to trading orchids. How many orchids will survive Canada's winter season and become invasive?

[kckerobe]

I have a Sedirea Japonica nagoran & a minmaru-shima. I tried to grow them initially like I would with my phal. and they did not do well (leaves yellowing, root rots.) Then I got lazy and sort of "neglect" them along with my neos -- they seem to do much better with the drying period in between waterings (just not as crispy dry as I would've with the neos.) I am especially happy to say the minmaru-shima still develop the nice green with white striation in my current growing condition.
Sometimes, neglect is a good thing (quoting one of experienced growers here)

[websherpa]

I'm on the same side re: treating my Sidirea japonica as a slightly more wet neo. Not too dry though as I did let it dry out a little too much for a day or so during this currently active bloom (my first for this acquisition), and a couple of the flowers did not come. And no fragrance yet (three blooms just opened and two more on the way, and three and a half didn't make it.

[Connie Star]

I'm new to growing neos myself. I just have one, and a neostylis that I just repotted into sphag but not in the traditional Japanese way with the hole in the center. Should I let them dry out, too? I am in Massachusetts and am a windowsill and lights grower.

[s.kallima]

Connie, the traditional dome of moss is hollow underneath to prevent moisture from staying too long in contact with the base of the plant. It can kill a plant in a matter of days. I would recommend you try inserting a small net pot under the plant then cover with the moss.
It is also possible to grow Neofinetia in very loose sphagnum moss (I have done that a my biggest plant), but you have to watch because over time the moss gets more compact and soggy.
It is necessary to let the moss dry out (crisp to the touch) + a couple of days extra in order to have healthy plants.