How do YOU winter your Neofinetias?

[Leafmite]

When I first was interested in getting one, I kept reading that these needed cold to bloom and even live! I decided to try it anyway, despite what I had read.
My first neo blooms faithfully every summer and looks in no danger of dying. From my observation, it seems more affected by the length of daylight. It always rests beginning in Oct, then begins to grow with the rest of my plants in late February.
Likely people water as normal and fertilize during the rest period which wouldn't be too good for them.

[coffeecup]

I start my rest now since October tends to be warmer here. I still have some plants that are blooming now...

[Leafmite]

We had a cold summer so I brought the plants and orchids in early which usually starts the process of growth slowing on the plants that are affected by this. My Lou Sneary is ready to bloom but the roots are taking a growing break. This is a great thread, by the way.

[Call_Me_Bob]

Glad to hear everyone's different methods! Hopefully future neo-heads can make use of this thread too! Please feel free to keep adding your advice or your methods!

From what I've read I think I'm going to do this-Try and figure out how to safely keep them on the window sill or closer to the window (my bench is right under a window) and I will keep them on the dryer side. No fertilizer.


What are your all's thoughts on starting a rest when they are in the middle of growing new fans? I have a few in that situation.

[coffeecup]

Originally Posted by Call_Me_Bob

What are your all's thoughts on starting a rest when they are in the middle of growing new fans? I have a few in that situation.

If you're in the winter season, I would still water less. Neos slow down normally and will pick back up during the growing season. I've had developing spikes go dormant, then continue to fully develop and bloom during the next flowering season.

[Leafmite]

You could hang them. I know you have those fancy pots so perhaps buying a few basket pots to hold the fancy pot and then attaching a wire plant hanger to it might work. The net pot and wire hanger will add stability so that the plant doesn't fall. Just an idea.

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by coffeecup

If you're in the winter season, I would still water less. Neos slow down normally and will pick back up during the growing season. I've had developing spikes go dormant, then continue to fully develop and bloom during the next flowering season.

Will do!

Originally Posted by Leafmite

You could hang them. I know you have those fancy pots so perhaps buying a few basket pots to hold the fancy pot and then attaching a wire plant hanger to it might work. The net pot and wire hanger will add stability so that the plant doesn't fall. Just an idea.

That's a good idea, but i don't really have a good place to hang them rm, unfortunately.

[smweaver]

My neos get very cool temperatures during the winter; while days get up to the mid 70s, nights regularly drop to between, say, 40 and 52 F. The plants stay relatively dry and get whatever sunlight nature provides (in other words, no supplemental lighting), and they stay dormant until spring. That being said, this species is adaptable. During one winter when our house was being built, the plants had to make do in an apartment, where the nights never dropped below 64 F. I still cut down on the watering drastically, and they came through just fine the following spring. So I think you're probably okay with the warmer temperatures, Bob. Good luck!

Steve

[Call_Me_Bob]

Just an update, I was able to squeeze guys on to the window sill! So they are enjoying a nice winter rest. How long do you guys wait between watering in the winter?

[rangiku]

When the moss is crunchy, then I water.