Neostylis in Colorado

[Pilot]

Hey guys,


Just sharing my latest plant to bloom, which is a neostylis that I got a little under a year ago. I got it in bloom and loved it but resisted getting more, though I wish it would keiki!

When I bought it the blooms were mostly white with hints of blue and purple. But this year, I let it bloom outside and it enjoyed warm days and cool nights, which yielded much more blue and purple flowers. In an attempt to make the blooms last longer, it came inside with me where it wasn't exposed to the extreme summer storms we have been getting. This resulted in blooms that opened in most constant temps that are mostly white when compared to the earlier blooms.

Observe...



And here is the full plant...I grow it in vase culture and it currently enjoys having a damp cloth wrapped around it's roots as they dry out within minutes...our environment desiccates these roots if not watered several times a day or if they are soaked (which results in even more tender roots for my environment) or if they are given some extra means of retaining moisture, in this case, a wet cloth. The cloth dries out in a day but the roots never suffer full dryness, which they seem to greatly dislike!



Here is my neo and my vanda...notice the reflective Mylar on the pots? Keeps the roots from baking.

[plantaholic]

Lovely! Gives me hope of doing something like that here in eastern Washington.

[nenella]

Superb! Great Growing! This one is on my wishlist but haven't found one in Europe yet...

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by plantaholic

Lovely! Gives me hope of doing something like that here in eastern Washington.

This method is working out really well for me. I happened upon it by accident, too! I did the root immersion thing-- but the roots disliked being in water so much. I tried vase culture, which helps with humidity, but not enough in my exceedingly dry environment... and I even tried an s/h approach, but not with this plant (I am trying it with a falcata). I wanted to SEE the roots of this plant easily and more often as I like the look of it.

Whenever I go away for a few days, so that the house sitter need not water the orchids, I wrap the roots in a wet microfiber cloth. It lasts several days if it is soaked. So I figured I'd make it a part of my culture, instead of just for when I would be away. I can go days without worrying about the state of the roots. Now, I do not keep the cloth soaked any more, but will give it a squeeze to get out a lot of the excess water. That will get the plant to the next day easily and then maybe even a second day if it isn't too windy or dry that day. The roots never completely dry out but they are never soaking in water, while they will get air movement too.

My vanda has responded really well to this method, too, though not as well as the neostylis. The vanda went through a lot, though, and considering it has put 6 new leaves on in the past 2-3 months tells me it's rebounding nicely. I just want to see a vanda bloom for me!!!!

I recommend this cloth method... just try it. Start off with a cloth well-rung-out and go from there. I bet you'll find it very easy to care for the plant, as I do.

Based on the fact that the neostylis is growing new leaves and blooming, I'm taking it as a vote to "yeah, keep doing that!"

[sii]

I've never had an orchid like this, but this one's cute. Love the roots! So healthy!

[WhiteRabbit]

wow - obviously it's very happy with the care you have been providing! lovely blooms - and great roots!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Thank you for sharing!

This method of watering may come in handy for me too one day. I'm always concerned about what to do with the more delicate, water loving orchids, when I do end up having to be home for long periods of time.

[pedidiva]

Beautiful. I ordered a Neostylis--looks similar to yours. I'm excited to try it in the vase culture.

I, too, live were it is very arid--similar to you. I soak my Vanda for a couple of hours/day. It dries out very quickly--no worry of rot.

Reckon a Trichglottis would do well with vase culture?

[Pilot]

She's blooming again. The roots haven't been doing as well lately but that's because I messed up and let her dry out too much. She's actively growing though and I have hopes for new roots any time now. The blooms it has now are intensely fragrant for this type of plant...you can smell the scent when you enter the solarium without having to sniff the blooms.

[pedidiva]

Pilot~~~

Beautiful pics. I'm so happy to see you again.

I live in Amarillo, TX. I understand about the humidity, etc. I have ordered a Neostylis & am going to do vase method. Your posts have been so helpful.

Any helpful hints?

Thanks~~
Pedi