Spring! Now What? - Orchid Board

MattWoelfsen · #1 03-22-2014, 06:30 AM

Now that Spring is here, my wintering Neofinetia are awakening and producing lots of roots. Over the winter, these roots were plain white. Now, many roots are showing color at the tip end of existing roots: scarlet, pink, muddy brown, green, very light green/yellow. New roots are coming out of the base of the plants as well--those emerging roots are exceedingly vibrant.

In some of these plants very small spikes are peeking up at the Tsuke. New leaf tips are emerging from the crown.

I have increased the amount of water these plants are getting. I'm watching how quickly the moss is drying--not allowing the plants to stay damp longer than a day. For example, if a tray of plants are still moist after 24 hours has past, I pull them out of their trays, and run a fan to help them dry quickly. By the time I get off from work, the mounded moss is much dryer.

When do you start feeding your Neofinetia? I'm also considering giving them a doze of Kelp Max from First Rays. I bought this product for my Phalaenopsis, has anyone tried it on Neofinetia?

Some of the plant's moss is green and not as fluffy as other plants. Is now a good time to repot these plants?

What do you do to get your plants ready for a new season of growth?

WhiteRabbit · #2 03-23-2014, 10:52 PM

Mine recently started new root growth.

I believe spring is the recommended time for repotting - I did most of mine in late summer last year, tho - only reason is because the only one of mine that blooms faithfully is the big one, potted in bark (so not repotted every year) - I originally got it in summer, shortly after it had finished blooming, and so, repotted in fall ... so, I thought I'd try late summer/fall repot for my others ...

I don't have kelpmax, but over the past several months, have been giving all my orchids some kelp extract, including the Neos ...

Zoi2 · #3 03-24-2014, 11:03 PM

Now starts the fun part...remounding or repotting! LOL
I start fertilizing after the remound and I also use kelpmax.
Joann

MattWoelfsen · #4 03-25-2014, 12:23 AM

Hello Joann. Do you re-mount all of your plants or just the ones that have poor looking sphagnum moss? You and Sonya have mentioned kelp additives to encourage root health. I think I'll order KelpMax from First Rays and see how my orchids grow. The Neofinetia seem to be producing plenty of roots without this root stimulant, but anything that will help my plants grow, I'm for it!

Zoi2 · #5 03-25-2014, 10:52 AM

I remound all of them, that way I know the moss is fresh and I can clean up any dead roots. I use the kelpmax as kind of an orchid "vitamin", I think it helps with overall plant health not just a root stimulant. I also feed with K-lite.
Joann

MattWoelfsen · #6 03-25-2014, 12:53 PM

Thank you for your advice Joann. I will follow your example.

Pilot · #7 03-25-2014, 02:30 PM

Echoing what's already been said but also the kelp max should be used sparingly as your spikes develop. These auxins and cytoskeleton to mess with flower development and you'll often get malformed flowers as a result. I also notice shortly flower life using kelp on those that get hit by a dose. If you have a neo that is reluctant to root or is just limping along I'd use it for sure and forget about any spikes. For instance I have two Senzai and one is growing many new roots and the other is doing nothing. I'll for sure hit the one doing nothing with some kelp to jump start it. I also have several neos that are spiking but will avoid hitting them at all.

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Zoi2 · #8 03-25-2014, 04:26 PM

Hi Ryan,
Have you had problems with flowers and spikes using kelpmax?
I've been using it since Ray started selling it and have not had any problems. I use a capful/gallon about every 3 weeks or so from spring to early fall.
Joann

MattWoelfsen · #9 05-09-2014, 03:23 PM

April came through here like it was still keeping its Winter mantle, but by the end of the month, Spring seems to be staying. I am looking forward to Summer and the challenges of raising cool temperature loving plants in Fort Wayne, where we broke the high temperature--89*F for May 08 set back in 1979. I cannot believe it will be a year ago when I first discovered Neofinetia falcata, joined OB, and asked you all, "what should I get?"

I had four plants that bloomed or is still in bloom: Nishidemiyako, Daiseikai, and Shunkyuden. My Shisen bloomed the earliest way back at the middle of March. I did not get a picture of it. Shisen is considered to be a Neofinetia richardsoniana--the Chinese version of this plant. Here is a picture of the three plants in bloom.

On the right hand side is my Shunkyuden. It is unusual peloric flowers. Here are close ups. I'm waiting to see if the bunched up flower material will open up.

"Shunkyuden 春及殿" by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr

Joyorchid · #10 05-09-2014, 05:18 PM

Lovely, Matt. I like them all. As for springtime neonutness, as all of mine are in s/h, I started fertilizing and watering more about the beginning of April. I too have noticed that the roots take on more color and I have several with spikes (I hope!) emerging.

I keep mine next to a window that gets opened at night because Colorado nights are usually cool. They live in their little neo terrarium with a humidity a temp guage. In the fall they will go live under the t5 lights.