potting a neo

[clusty]

Hey,

I was curious why does everybody pot the neofinetia in mounds?
Is it an aesthetic choice or it is to accommodate a particular habit.

[RosieC]

Interesting question. I believe it's a traditional Japanese method, but no idea if there is a particular reason for it.

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by clusty

Hey,

I was curious why does everybody pot the neofinetia in mounds?
Is it an aesthetic choice or it is to accommodate a particular habit.

Both I think. The hollow mound of sphag doesn't stay soggy very long after watering, so you avoid root rot. It's also ideal for the dry winter rest period (just mist the mound periodically during late November to March).

[clusty]

Thanks.

In an impulse buy I got a shutenno about 3" tall.
Any pot size you suggest?
Until I get the pot it will stay in the small ugly pot it came in.

[Pilot]

I love the look of the moss mound. Some people don't like the look and/or the method because moss can be a pain in the butt some times-- but you learn to use it. For instance, I live a mile closer to the sun than most people on the planet and you wouldn't think that'd make that big of a difference but humidity is an odd thing at this altitude-- 100% one hour can be 20% the next or even lower... it's crazy. So moss "balances" that better. New moss for me is worse... older moss is great because it doesn't get as water logged for me.

Also, go easy on the fert with moss-- it'll turn green pretty fast with algae. I wash my plants and their respective moss mounds thoroughly every watering (during the growing season) to flush as much fertilizer and mineral salts as possible. I've managed to get my mounds to not be so green doing this, though I do caution that I've not been doing this for long and I don't know if my plants are getting the food they need. It seems they are as they're growing as well as I'd expect but we shall see.

[clusty]

Originally Posted by Pilot

I love the look of the moss mound. Some people don't like the look and/or the method because moss can be a pain in the butt some times-- but you learn to use it. For instance, I live a mile closer to the sun than most people on the planet and you wouldn't think that'd make that big of a difference but humidity is an odd thing at this altitude-- 100% one hour can be 20% the next or even lower... it's crazy. So moss "balances" that better. New moss for me is worse... older moss is great because it doesn't get as water logged for me.

Also, go easy on the fert with moss-- it'll turn green pretty fast with algae. I wash my plants and their respective moss mounds thoroughly every watering (during the growing season) to flush as much fertilizer and mineral salts as possible. I've managed to get my mounds to not be so green doing this, though I do caution that I've not been doing this for long and I don't know if my plants are getting the food they need. It seems they are as they're growing as well as I'd expect but we shall see.

Algae are an issue?
I always welcomed them as it gave a more "real" look. How hot do you let your neo get ?

[Pilot]

Algae isn't BAD but it isn't "kosher" for displaying a neo when in judging. At home on your sill or shelf it's not a big deal at all but algae is a sign that there are nutrients available in excess than of what the plant itself is using. Algae will appear quickly but also dies off quickly too. So if you like the green then you'll be fine otherwise clean water flushing will do the trick.


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[syspila]

So far since I am new to Neos I feel comfortable with the mix of wood they came in tho a couple I did use the plastic packing peanuts and a bit of sphagnum in their pots.

[clusty]

So, my first japanese style neo:
Neo drying up so it "glues together"


Tadaaa


I used string to "convince" it to keep it's mound shape.

[rangiku]

Good work, clusty. She looks lovely in her pot.