Neo in Glass

[rangiku]

Thanks for the update, ryan. It's been so quiet here in neofinetia land.

[alsorchids]

I applaud your innovation Ryan. It sounds like this is doing well for your orchids. Living in New Mexico I work at maintaining higher humidity levels in my greenhouse, which is easier and more convenient than if they were in the house itself. I say this as a compliment in that your adapting to your plants needs and not hoping they adapt to you or a enviroment that otherwise might not be suitable to them. The Best Of Luck! AL

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by alsorchids

I applaud your innovation Ryan. It sounds like this is doing well for your orchids. Living in New Mexico I work at maintaining higher humidity levels in my greenhouse, which is easier and more convenient than if they were in the house itself. I say this as a compliment in that your adapting to your plants needs and not hoping they adapt to you or a enviroment that otherwise might not be suitable to them. The Best Of Luck! AL

Thanks, Al! That means a lot to me. I love these plants so the innovation seems to come easy. Of course, having a background in science helps but its also a lot of trial and error.

Ok here are the pics...

first is my neostylis, which shows the much taller vase. I was lucky to find one that has a "bowled" top, which makes it easy to place the plant inside and not have to wire a support etc.



The emerging new roots on the neo-- always a good sign.



Here's my neofinetia in her glass... the algae is a bit of a problem, but it seems to keep the humidity up in the glass-- so I'll go with it!



And a new root from the nefinetia, but inside the glass,

[alsorchids]

Oh the sweet smell of success! Glad you have new roots going. Next maybe new leaves and then the main event.......blooms! AL

[camille1585]

That's for the update, nice to see that it works so well for you! Next time I get a Neo I'll have to give it a try.

[Pilot]

Sorry for no new pics again but I wanted to update anyone interested-- have had my neostylis and neofinatia in their vases for quit a while now-- just over two months-- and I've had a lot of success with this vase method. I have several old roots growing new shoots and several NEW roots on the neostylis...only one new one of the neofinetia- but hey, its progress! But the real progress is the neosytlis... 6 new roots have emerged and are really beautiful-- and thick! One of them grew into the glass and the grow tip just stopped there, but the others seems to be arching with the bow in the glass...so far so good!

I also have a vanda species and a hybrid vanda growing this way and they love it too...but here's the kicker...

I keep the water in my vases for many hours-- sometimes half the day or more! And the plants have responded even better to this treatment. It takes but an hour or two after I empty them for the roots to dry out in our very dry Colorado, high country climate and the plants have thanked me for sure for treating them so badly. lol The vanda species is brand new and have several very small, withered roots and they have plumped back up and are green again-- though no new root growth yet but I'm hopeful. The vanda was one that did not enjoy its treatment from me when I got it-- it has a mass of new roots now. So I'm totally sold on the vase method. I'm tempted to try a phal out this way! Will post pics when I get back from my trip!

[Vanda lover]

This is such a good method of growing orchids! I wonder if anyone has tried it with Tolumnia? They like simular conditions.

Nancy

[Triffid]

Reading with interest and may try this method with any future Neos I may acquire.

As a side thought, you mentioned you were lucky to find a "Bowled" toped Vase. Those vases can also be referred to as "Hyacinth" or "Bulb" vases.
Just thought I'd mention as they seem to be a lot easier to find suppliers on-line (or at you local garden centre) if you use those terms

[Pilot]

OK as promised, update with photos. I didn't take pics of the neo...sorry... couldn't get enough light to take the pic because the plant is so small! But here is the neostylis.... loads of new roots (8 in total, 3 shown here) plus and several new leaves-- 3 total.

[alsorchids]

Ryan; These photographs show a neostylis in perfect health and growth. Congratulations, this orchid likes the way your treating it and I am sure it will reward you! AL