A Neo Lighting and Growing Environment Thread

[rangiku]

Matt, you can put some Physan in your water and it won't grow algae. That's what I do in my humidity trays - 1 tsp/gallon.

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by rangiku

Matt, you can put some Physan in your water and it won't grow algae. That's what I do in my humidity trays - 1 tsp/gallon.

I did not know that! Thank you Adrienne. I will try that--cheaper than getting a fountain pump! I have Physan, so I'll will add that stuff to the bath tub water. Thank you!

[MattWoelfsen]

So far, my Neofinetia, and for that matter, all of my orchids, are maintaining healthy leaves and roots. While the weather outside is frightful--today, the outside temperature will be 24-26*F and into the teens overnight--inside, the average daylight temperature gets up as high as 72-74*F and at night around 63-64*F. Relative humidity stays around 50%. I have humidifiers running and fans oscillating but that humidity stays at 50%.

Do any of you spray your Neofinetia? I did that for the first time today. The moss was so crispy throughout the pot that some of the plants are popping out of their pots when I pick them up to examine. I am am watering about 7-8 days--just a quick shower in the tub, which I accomplished this past Saturday. This morning the plants were drier than my Glenglassaugh single malt scotch whiskey!

[fishmommy]

I grow them in an East window in NH and they bloom well for me. The window is floor-to-ceiling, which may help.

[Joyorchid]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

This morning the plants were drier than my Glenglassaugh single malt scotch whiskey!

Your impeccable taste in orchids is only exceeded by your taste in fine scotch.

As for humidity, my neo area averages a high of 50% and down to 30%. I am watering twice a week now. I dont spray them and they do just fine.

[MattWoelfsen]

Would you believe that scotch was a birthday present, still unopened, but promised to be open for Christmas by the gift giver? I have tasted this brand but in a blend--its like drinking air with a nice smokey flavor.

You are watering twice a week? Being such a worrywort, I have been peaking at the roots of every plant and noticed they are a bright green just after watering but in a day or two the roots are completely white and their little pots are very light. Hmmmm...

[Joyorchid]

To be honest, Matt, I am experimenting with this setup to accomplish a winter rest. A bit drier and colder but lots of light. We will see how many flowers I get next year. I only have a couple of neos in moss, and my neo hybrids are in s/h. So far everyone seems pretty happy.

I am not a huge drinker, but I do like a tasty single malt now and then. I must warn you, though, that with the cable out, a scotch in hand, and lots of neos for sale you might significantly increase your plant collection.

[MattWoelfsen]

Warning taken!

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by Joyorchid

As for humidity, my neo area averages a high of 50% and down to 30%. I am watering twice a week now. I dont spray them and they do just fine.

I was alarmed to come home from work Monday morning to find my humidity fluctuating between 16 to 20%. With 2 smokers in the apartment, including myself, I always have to leave a window open at each end of the apt at least a little and a fan drawing fresh air thru the hall. As a result, if the humidity is low outside, my humidifier wasn't capable of increasing the humidity by much.

Fortunately, I finally ordered a recirculating humidifier (to add to the regular wick one I already had) and it arrived yesterday afternoon. In no time at all I was able to get the humidity into the mid 40%s. A recirculating humidifier is more effective by pumping the water up and releasing it on the top of the wick.

Lasko 1129 9 Gallon Humidifier - Amazon.com

I also have a large terrarium for some of my Phals, where I can easily maintain humidity at 60% and higher. And a 4 tier indoor greenhouse which is also high humidity.

[MattWoelfsen]

A week later, after daily misting, my Neofinetia still have dull leaves, very dry sphagnum, and plants loose in their pots. The last time I watered these plants completely was early October prior to moving them inside. As I reported last week, I started misting them, but that did not seem to raise their humidity appreciably. So I took every tray of plants--I have put them all in trays--easier to handle, and showered them with a lot of water.

I have been observing winter = less water guideline. The humidistat continues to show a decline in relative humidity. It got down to 40% before I took to giving them this good soaking.

Do you suppose that where they come from a good rain occurs in winter?

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