SEIKAI 青海

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by Pilot

Quay, I got it at a local nursery in Colorado. They have three now and then and I'm always drawn to this color. I've had many other plants in this pot and they never did well but I think I expected too much of the pot since its small and shallow. I think this time it's perfectly suited for the type of plant. If I ever see these pots again ill grab a few. They're only about $3.

Nice!! It looks like a mame bonsai pot, it's cute!! That's a great price too! Get more if you can!! I can see how it wouldn't work for other plants, but for this potting method, it's perfect!

[AnonYMouse]

It looks like a bowl of ice cream with toasted coconut! Not a bad thing, IMO.

[Bud]

Adorable bean type Neo. I love the pot and the way you followed traditional samurai method.
The glass case is quite a project. I understand your humidity issues in your grow zone, but you added aesthetics to your way of culture.....and thats what makes it amazing.

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by Bud

Adorable bean type Neo. I love the pot and the way you followed traditional samurai method.
The glass case is quite a project. I understand your humidity issues in your grow zone, but you added aesthetics to your way of culture.....and thats what makes it amazing.

You guys, thanks so much for the kind comments. I really appreciate it. It's funny because while it was never my intention to bring aesthetics to this bottle set up, the necessity if it drove the design to was you see here. In the other bottle I have with another neo, there are grow rocks on the bottom and that boost the humidity more but I notice the plant dries more evenly without them. So this time I left the rocks out and cut a bigger door because if the plant was much bigger with the original bottle it's be hard to get the plant in and out to mist and water.

You guys are so nice....ok I will definitely do a tutorial!!!

Also, watering these plants.....how should it be done long term with the traditional style of potting? When I potted these up I spread the roots over the moss ball and then used long strands to secure it but also provide more moist retention. So to water, I spray it with short burst from my sprayer and wait a few minutes (go off a water other plants) and the. Return and mist again if the roots still look dry.

I know you have to go easy on the fertilizer and use as pure water as possible as the moss will get gross fast. Any other suggestions?

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

It looks like a bowl of ice cream with toasted coconut! Not a bad thing, IMO.

Umm....yum! Must....not...eAt....neo.

[SlipperGirl]

Originally Posted by Pilot

You guys are so nice....ok I will definitely do a tutorial!!!

YAY!

[Call_Me_Bob]

I don't know how you are supposed to water them, but with mine potted this way, I just soak it in water for a few minutes.

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by Call_Me_Bob

I don't know how you are supposed to water them, but with mine potted this way, I just soak it in water for a few minutes.

Quay,

Even though the mass of the ball is hollow, my moss stays too wet for a long time so I'm hesitant to water that way. And really it's inconsistent drying that seems to be my enemy. Half the plant is soaked and the other half is parched. I definitely rate the moisture by touch and weight. I guess it's what works for you that you end up doing.

[Pilot]

I should also mention... No way could I get this moss ball to stay formed without an inverted or upturned mesh pot inside. Lol. Someone asked me how I kept it together and in the end, the moss it stabbed into the mesh and finished with long strands.

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by Pilot

Quay,

Even though the mass of the ball is hollow, my moss stays too wet for a long time so I'm hesitant to water that way. And really it's inconsistent drying that seems to be my enemy. Half the plant is soaked and the other half is parched. I definitely rate the moisture by touch and weight. I guess it's what works for you that you end up doing.

Interesting! Some of my phals dry that way to, I usually just water and then have restraint and wait to water again. For my neo right now though it's in its "rest" period, so I don't water it as often. It seems to dry out pretty evenly though. Could it maybe be because your pot is glazed, so it can't wick moisture like an unglazed clay pot, or dry like a pot with a large hole or cutouts?