Thanks for the suggestion. I actually did a little bit of the staking with this year's bloom, as they get tangled with each other's spurs quite easily. Although as seen in the photos, I didn't really stake it very well. I will try again next year when it blooms again.

That's a good tip!

Leslie, any suggestions how how to stake them? I'd be afraid that I would break the buds off no matter how gentle I was.

You can train the spike when it starts to show buds, about half the length of the entire spike. I 'guide' the spike to the direction I want esp if there are several spikes for a better visual display. Stick a bamboo skewer close to spike and gently move the spike onto the skewer. This can be used to move side way spikes to go up. I check on them every 3-5 days to make sure the spike grows up the skewer. Then as the buds get bigger, where the peduncle (the part that attaches the flower to the flower stem) are 2-3 cm, I may use skewers to separate the flowers from each other. I do this more if the are crowded about a week from opening.


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http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/25/ebasezys.jpg

Here I staked one spike away from the other to prevent crowding of two spikes. Then as the flowers develop I staked the buds apart at this stage or just before to allow them to present better.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/25/y2ytube6.jpg

Once they are staked for a few days they will harden to stay in position. The key is to do it before they are open. You can remove all stakes (except the stem support sometimes if flowers are heavy) to show off better.

Hope this helps. Be very careful moving spikes and flowers. Sometimes I use a Qtip to move them!


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Leslie, Would it be possible to use Bonsai wire you think?
Its very flexible and comes in several thicknesses.

Yes that will work too. Be very careful as the flower stems are very fragile. Show us pics when u do please?


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That will be next year then. My last Neo is blooming now, Sorry.

No problem... There are some neos that bloom again for me in late August... Depending on the maturity of plant and number of growths


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I'll definitely give it a try.