Got this at my Local Orchid Society Today.

[prc11]

I went to my local orchid society today and there was a very nice program about rest periods in orchids. The person giving the program brought many many miniatures for sale. I didn't buy any, but I was tempted to. The show table was nice, but a bit smaller than usual. As the background was given for each plant someone said there were plants in the hallway they were going to give away. I went and picked up a Renanetia Sunrise (neofinetia falcata x imschootiana). I have a picture of the plant below. There are a few roots that are still growing and many new leads on the plant. I was also, planning on putting this outside during the summer. I don't know too much about this genus or neo's in general. Could you please tell me about the culture for this and tell me if it would be a good idea to put it outside during the summer.

[sailortom2]

what a great freebie. I believe it would do great out doors...just not in direct mid day sun

[WhiteRabbit]

wow! awesome!
can't advise to it's care - but I'm sure someone will be able to

[bdublyou]

I don't have any hybrids, but have a few neos. They stay outside all the time (except for high winds). My temps are fairly consistent though, except for a few freezing nights here and there in the winter and a few weeks of 90+ in the summer, so the neos can tolerate it. Don't know about the imschootiana side of the cross. As for care, the neos are very sensitive to salts so you should use really high quality water like RO or rainwater--I only fert once a month with 1/4 strength (but I was about to post a new thread to see if anyone has been able to get away with more frequent fert). The roots like a lot of air. In the summer, I end up watering mine every day or every other day depending on the medium (water when almost dry). They like a winter rest. I keep mine pretty bright, a little less than what I give the cattleyas, they get about an hour of direct late, late afternoon sun and they are handling it well to date. So far, they seem pretty easy and they seem to like my conditions.

I'm still pretty new to this game so definately wait for some of the "wise ones" to chime in too. Good luck with yours, it appears to be a pretty little plant. I love freebies!

[Eyebabe]

...and yet another reason it is fun to be in your local orchid society

[epiphyte78]

That's a really nice cross. Neofinetia falcata, like all the Japanese epiphytic orchids that I've tried, is very eurythermal. It's highly ranked on the list of Monopodial Orchids for Southern California.

Renanthera imschootiana should be eurythermal as well. I had Renanthera Scarlet Yuka (imschootiana x philippinensis) for a couple years outdoors and it did really great. Recently gave it to a friend and purchased imschootiana from the SBOE.

Renanetia Sunrise should do well for you outside during summer. I'd be surprised if it didn't have hybrid vigor. Here's what I'd do if I'd picked it up from my society's raffle table.

First, I'd see if it was dividable. I always try and avoid having all my eggs in one basket...plus I can learn about a plant a lot faster when I put it in a good range of moisture/light conditions.

If it wasn't dividable then I'd repot it into 3/4" gravel, add some live Spanish Moss and hang it in my Vanda section which is under 50% white shade cloth. I try and water that section every other night during summer and first thing in the morning once a week during winter.