Neofinitia - too late to repot?

[Stray59]

Hey everyone:
I have a Neofinitia falcata that I have had about a year. I noted earlier this summer that the potting mix was drying out very quickly and the plant has never thrived. I wanted to put it in a sphagnum moss pot, but I know these should rest in the winter. Should I attempt this now, or wait until March when new growths appear? It has a new start at this time, a couple of inches tall. Pot now or wait - what is your opinion?
Steve

[Leafmite]

I doubt you will have trouble with your neo. I never do. Mine thrive in red lava rock and vanda baskets/net pots. Until the roots spill out of the pots, they accidently get unpotted when I knock them over and they just keep growing, like any good vanda. Good luck!

[cbuchman]

I was just watching a youtube video of Neo repotting that was mentioned elsewhere on this Board and it indicated that Neos can be repotted whenever they need to be, but Spring (with active growth) is preferred.

[Stray59]

I am posting some pics of my Neo. - I think the leaves are too tightly closed - they looked almost 'pinched shut'. I have moved it to a cooler window, hearing they can take light freezes without damage. I have had it for two years and the growth has been SLOOOOW. It finally poked a new shoot out this year, but it also looks very tightly pinched shut. In the last pics you can see a new shoot that is recent. I think it is a new growth, not a bloom, but how the &*(%$ would I know - mine has never bloomed.
I have seen the Japanese displays with Neo's planted in sphagnum moss balls, and the roots look great. I know the Japanese market rates these partially on the color of the new root growth tip, such as "mud colored tip", "green-blue tipped", etc.; I did not see my plant's root color listed as there was no "old dead skin" catagory!
I wanted to move it out of the very dry orchid bark that it is in, as this apartment sucks the moisture out of everything, and onto the sphagnum (great afternoon project), but noticed the new shoot and was hesitant. I really think a moister medium is required here.


Steve

[Stray59]

--- Oh yeah - that is a bromeliad and a rather rambling rhipsalis that drop in and grabbed ahold of some of the bark. They may move onto the sphagnum pot but, not sure at this time.

Steve

[Leafmite]

If you grow other orchids successfully in moss, especially vandas, then moss would be a good option. These are little vandas. I just grow them with that in mind and they do well for me. The seedlings have a bit of growing to do but the older one is faithful at putting out spikes every year. Good luck!

[Stray59]

Well, I really appreciate the info, but it was a little bad news in a way. I am horrible with Vandas, which makes sense, since I love them! I am going to have to experiment with this one a little. When it arrived (purchased on Ebay) the roots were extensive for the size of the plant. But, if it is a Vanda, I fear for it's little life. At least I have kept it for 2 years, so maybe I am having a Vanda-breakthrough with this one!
Keep every one of your extremities crossed for me!


Steve

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Stray59

Well, I really appreciate the info, but it was a little bad news in a way. I am horrible with Vandas, which makes sense, since I love them! I am going to have to experiment with this one a little. When it arrived (purchased on Ebay) the roots were extensive for the size of the plant. But, if it is a Vanda, I fear for it's little life. At least I have kept it for 2 years, so maybe I am having a Vanda-breakthrough with this one!
Keep every one of your extremities crossed for me!


Steve

Don't stress - it's been my experience that Neos are pretty easy keepers - not fussy about potting media. I have Neos in a few different types of media - my large one (Amami Island, 4" pot), as well as a tiny fan I broke off a much smaller one (1" pot), both potted in small fir bark mix, one quite small one in coconut husk chips, others in sphag, as well as a mounted one - all grow well

[Stray59]

I really want to try this one in/on a sphagnum ball - I am newly intrigued! Will post of the process/result!
Steve

[cbuchman]

You can do this! Neos are very tolerant. I have killed every Vanda I've ever known, but my Neos thrive.