neofinetia falcata pot size

[Call_Me_Bob]

does pot size matter for neofinetia falcata 'setsu-zan' if i do it in the traditional spaghnum mound? i would like to put it into a plastic pot and then put the plastic pot into a decorative japanese pot, so it looks traditional, but my japanese pot ( from my mother) doesnt have a drainage whole, and im not going to make one. will it be okay, if i take the plastic pot out to water, and make sure its not sitting in water.

another question, and this is my first neo, so be nice

how much would i water it, if it was in a spaghnum mound? whenever it dries out?

[LinhT]

does pot size matter for neofinetia falcata 'setsu-zan' if i do it in the traditional spaghnum mound? Yes. I'm assuming you want to know exactly what size pot to use. I could answer that question better if you have a chance to post a photo of your plant and it's root mass. Otherwise, I'd probably choose a pot that was a bit smaller. If it dries out faster, you can always water more. If the pot is too big and there's too much moss, it will take too long to dry out and that could cause root rot problems, especially if you want to grow it in a pot with no drainage hole.


but my japanese pot ( from my mother) doesnt have a drainage hole, and im not going to make one. will it be okay, if i take the plastic pot out to water, and make sure its not sitting in water. I would never dare do this to any of my neos, especially if they were mounded in sphag. However, I'm no neo expert so you can give it a try if you've heard differently. Perhaps you can just use the decorative pot to display it in when it blooms? If you still decide to put it in the pot without a drainage hole, please keep me updated on how your plant does in the next several months.

be nice Did you encounter mean and nasty neo junkies here?

how much would i water it, if it was in a spaghnum mound? whenever it dries out?Depends. In the Summer, when you have active root tips, water when the outside of the mound feels dry and the pot feels lighter. In the Winter, wait till the moss mound is dry enough that it separates easily from the pot. You may want to provide decent humidity when they get this dry, otherwise they can get pretty stressed.

Hope this was helpful.

[Call_Me_Bob]

Regarding pot size, I wanted to know of they like really snug pots, like dens, or they like pots that are just bug enough for the roots but not too small. Would you be able to give me a link to instructions on how to pot the traditional.

I meant, since I can't make a whole in my nice pot. Can I pot the neo in another pot, and put the undecorative pot in the decorated pot. Does that make sense? One pot inside another.



Thank you very much

[Izzie]

there are DOZENS of threads and articles here and online about potting neos.

Just search "remounding neofinetia". I'm pretty sure there was a thread about it in the last month or two. Searching is your friend, I promise!

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by LinhT

Summer, when you have active root tips, water when the outside of the mound feels dry and the pot feels lighter.

ABSOLUTELY ONE OF THE BEST PIECES OF ADVICE. MEMORIZE IT.

The feel-the-weight method is really common in larger vendors, and people with large collections. Get a feel for how your plants feel when they're watered. Takes a lot of the guesswork out.

[Becca]

help, check one of the other threads you and I were chatting in for how to repot using the traditional method. I posted a link to Tracy's thread that she posted with two video's in it. If you can't find it, let us know and I'll try and find it again.

[Call_Me_Bob]

Thank you both.

I will have to go back and find that thread. I was on my iPod when I read it , my iPod doesn't work with videos, so I kinda forgot about it.

[DelawareJim]

help;

Here's the link to Tracy's remounding video on YouTube.
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ube-video.html

Here's another from a Japanese site.
???????mov

There are many links in this forum if you search for "remounding", "remounting", or "repotting" Neos.
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...epot-neos.html

Cheers.
Jim

[LinhT]

Regarding pot size, I wanted to know of they like really snug pots, like dens, or they like pots that are just bug enough for the roots but not too small.I think this is the best way I can explain this...

If you are going to mound it in sphag, they are fine with any plastic slotted potted that you can fit the moss ball in. It will be easier to determine the pot size after you finishing the wrapping process. Once you've finished wrapping the root mass with the layers of 5A or 4A sphag, try sticking it into the plastic pot. It's kinda like Cinderalla's shoe. If it fits in nice and snug, she's good. If it's loosey goosey in the pot, get a smaller pot. If you're trying to jam it in like Cinderella's step sister's foot, then you need a larger pot.

I meant, since I can't make a whole in my nice pot. Can I pot the neo in another pot, and put the undecorative pot in the decorated pot. Does that make sense? One pot inside another. Sorry I did not answer clearly so let's try this again....

Yes, I understand exactly what you are saying. No, please DO NOT put the undecorative pot in the decorative pot that you will not make a hole in, even if it will not be sitting in water.

Neos are "wind orchids". Their roots NEED AIR, ALWAYS. Once you thoroughly water the ball of moss, it will soak up water like a sponge. Even if you let the undecorative pot sit out until it stops dripping water, the moss ball will still be wet, especially in the middle of the mound. If you, then, stick it into the decorative pot, the roots are still covered in the wet moss. If there are no holes on the sides of the decorative pot and NO HOLE in the bottom of the decorative pot, the roots will not be able to get much air, right?

If you let the un-fancy pot sit out until the moss mound is COMPLETELY dry, then it's time to water again, anyways.

Just "wet" does not necessarily cause root rot. "Wet + no air" CAN cause root rot. Hope all this makes sense.

[Call_Me_Bob]

alright thank you soo much! i understand now!

first of all, nice analogy about cinerella.

okay, i totally understand about the decorative pot now. i now understand it needs the air
movement. since it needs this air movement is it okay to put the spaghnum ball into a wooden hanging basket?

if they need pot with holes in the sides for air movement, than how come they can be potted in japanese pots like this