Need Neo supplier information (potting, etc...) - Orchid Board

Paul Mc · #1 02-08-2011, 08:32 PM

I just bought my first Neo and would like to set it up in a traditional japanese sphag mound. I would die to find a really cheap and cool japanese neo pot, but all that I'm finding online are extremely expensive! Is there any place that sells knock off's or any place that I could try to find something similar?

I have found the cheap plastic ones on ebay that I've seen you guys use a lot on here. Are neo's supposed to be put in these plastic ones then slid into the fancy pottery?

Likewise, traditionally speaking, do they have to be in these fancy neo pots as opposed to a shallow round bonsai dish (with drainage holes of course)?

I'm assuming as well that since the neo pots don't have humidity trays that they are not needed for these orchids.

mollycart1 · #2 02-08-2011, 10:01 PM

As for making those moss mounds, I use a regular moss for inside and 5A moss to wrap around. The vendors I can think of would be

1. New World Orchids New World Orchids Neofinetia falcata
2. Cal West Tropical http://calwesttropical.com/

3. Orchids Limited. Orchid Web: AAAA Level 4 Sphagnum Moss - Japan Import for Neofinetia

I grow all my Neo's in plastic pots and use a fancy pot to show.

Becca · #3 02-09-2011, 08:45 AM

Not sure what the currency conversion would be, but I know several members have ordered pots from the following link: Erin Bonsai::Bonsai and Bonsai Pots for Sale Online

DelawareJim · #4 02-09-2011, 08:56 AM

Paul;

Don't know of any cheap knock-off ceramic Neo pots. I think those of us that have them bit the bullet and bought the expensive ones.

I have almost all mine in the plastic pots and a few mini clay pots from Purple Clay.
Purple Clay Imports

Cheers.
Jim

Paul Mc · #5 02-09-2011, 09:13 AM

That's probably a good point Jim. I guess what I should do since I don't have any experience with neo's is just do the traditional method and put it in a hanging basket for now to see how the plant works for me. That way, if I lose it then at least I haven't spent a lot of money on a special pot for it, lol...

One last question at the risk of high-jacking my own thread here with a different question. I am assuming that when you mound them, you will need to water them when the medium becomes dry and brittle looking all the way through. This way as opposed to the sphag being only dry on the outside and not in the inside?

Zoi2 · #6 02-09-2011, 09:34 AM

I don't grow these..yet (they are getting higher on the wish list) but here is a link to a cool video showing how to do the mounding that you might be interested in. http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ube-video.html
Joann

camille1585 · #7 02-09-2011, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becca

Not sure what the currency conversion would be, but I know several members have ordered pots from the following link: Erin Bonsai::Bonsai and Bonsai Pots for Sale Online

1£ = roughly $1.6 at the moment, so a pot will cost anywhere between $16-30. The there's the cost of shipping. Not sure that's the best solution for a 'cheap' pot!

DelawareJim · #8 02-09-2011, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

That's probably a good point Jim. I guess what I should do since I don't have any experience with neo's is just do the traditional method and put it in a hanging basket for now to see how the plant works for me. That way, if I lose it then at least I haven't spent a lot of money on a special pot for it, lol...

One last question at the risk of high-jacking my own thread here with a different question. I am assuming that when you mound them, you will need to water them when the medium becomes dry and brittle looking all the way through. This way as opposed to the sphag being only dry on the outside and not in the inside?

Paul, the plastic pots usually go about $2 and they are a good way to learn watering these with the traditional moss mound.

I let them get crispy dry between waterings which some will argue is waiting too long, but I learned the hard way. With my smaller plastic pots, that's generally about once a week. With the larger ones is about 10 days or so.

After killing a 'Tamakongo' from over watering, I learned that especially with the bigger pots, the outside can be dry but inside the hollow, they can still be fairly moist. At the risk of a really bad visual, now I stick my finger up the hole and have a quick feel to see how dry it is before watering.

We all forgot to mention Seed Engei who is another good source for plants and supplies. They actually have a plastic pot that's a bit more stylish than the usual.
Neofinetia falcata/Japanese orchid/Samurai orchid/SEED ENGEI

Cheers.
Jim

LinhT · #9 02-10-2011, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DelawareJim

At the risk of a really bad visual, now I stick my finger up the hole and have a quick feel to see how dry it is before watering.

I haven't contributed much to the Neo forum in a while but Jim's comment just made my day and had me giggling like a 12 year old.

You might want to skip the fancy pot for now and just get one of those $2 plastic slotted neo pots instead. One very important point, IMHO, is if you decide to grow them in the traditional moss mound, make sure they are hanging in the air or are in some kind of set up where the bottom part of the mound gets PLENTY of air movement. Otherwise, the mound doesn't dry as evenly. The moisture pools at the bottom and tah daaah.... Hello root rot. They definitely appreciate humidity and usually grow better with good humidity. If you can not provide decent RH, they usually don't croak but will need time to adjust to your environment. Enjoy your new neo. They smell lovely in bloom.

Paul Mc · #10 02-10-2011, 08:40 AM

Thank you everyone for your guidance and insights! I have decided for now to just keep it in a lava rock and charcoal mixture inside of a pot that has holes throughout it. It has a humidity tray on the bottom and I'm putting it in with about 15 other orchids to help keep the humidity a little higher.

Wish me luck!