Neofinetia Experiment

[Subrosa]

This fall I obtained 3 blooming size Neos from Exotic Orchids of Maui and decided to run a little experiment. One plant is mounted in vase culture on a windowsill in my living room, another is potted and kept in the same room under lights. These two are getting fairly steady temps in the 60s and 70s. The third is potted up and in my cold room where temps normally run low 60s during the day and low 50s at night. Temps have gotten as low as 44. Both plants that are artificially lit are in very bright situations, the one in the living room is under a 9W 6500K led spotlight, and the one in the cold room is about 3" from a T5HO tube. I'm curious to see how each plant grows and blooms. Not surprisingly the one in vase culture has just started growing new roots, while the others are still taking it easy. I'll get some pics up tonight.

[MattWoelfsen]

Excellent Subrosa! I'd like to see the results of your experiment. BTW, I see you are in SE Pennsylvania? Are you going to attend SEPOS? If you are, hope to see you there. Seed Engei is going to be there and they will have more Neofinetia available.

I would guess that the third Neo, in the colder environment will probably explode with new growth come Spring. The temperatures you describe are similar to the winter rest requirements I have been observing for my own Neofinetia. Winter is described as sparse watering but plenty of relative humidity, bright light, and cool daytime temperature and even cooler night time temperature.

My interest would be how the first two Neos will grow, as their conditions indicate no winter rest.

[Subrosa]

Ok here are the pics. #1 is the vase culture on the windowsill (SE exposure), #2 is under LEDs in my living room, and #3 is under T5HO in my cold room. #1 is getting no winter rest, #2 is being kept drier but at normal room temps, #3 is kept dry and cool.

[NYCorchidman]

I'm worried that my neos are doomed in the near future as I cannot give them winter rest.

They have been growing and growing all winter! lol

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

I'm worried that my neos are doomed in the near future as I cannot give them winter rest.

They have been growing and growing all winter! lol

Don't sweat it. I also never got around to setting up my wintering space for the Neos and in fact about half of them spend their days on a seedling heat mat. Seeing growth of leaves, new plantlets and nice roots. Maybe next year I'll rest them.

[Subrosa]

The only one of mine that is showing new growth is the one in vase culture that got no rest.

[Subrosa]

Just added to the experiment! I potted one up in a neat little pot that I got from Lowes. I got 2 of them for $3 each, and they each came with 2 mini Phals! Ok so one Phal was toast, but hey........ anyway it's potted a bit differently. I put a bit of sphagnum on the bottom, then cut two pieces of EcoWeb to fit. I sandwiched the roots between the two slabs and covered the whole works with another layer of sphagnum. Watered well and now sitting on a sunny SE facing window.