First three Neofintia plants...not sure how to water.

[reliablefool]

Sooo, I met Satomi (I think...is she the one that always attends the shows Seed Engei is at?) and ended up buying a wild type, Hisui, and one she has labelled Amami Rubi Ne. Potted in sphagnum in, I'm assuming, the traditional way and I'm not sure when/how I should water. I've read that people wait until the moss is crunchy on top, but then should I thoroughly soak the moss or just lightly moisten it? I have a terrible time with moss usually, but I'm willing to learn because they do look really neat in the moss.

Any help all you neo collectors can throw my way would be very much appreciated. I'm scared these three might be a gateway into a very expensive hobby after reading about how people got started with just one plant.

[Hakumin]

I usually make sure that the moss is dry all the way through before watering. I check by sticking my finger up the hole in the bottom of the pot. If the roots stay wet for too long, they'll rot pretty easily

They seem to do better if I let them stay dry a day or so before I water them again, and when I do, I drench them completely. Granted, I have a huge cavity inside each moss moss mound, so even with a thorough drench, it drys out completely within 3-5 days depending on the weather.

If you want to stick with the moss, but you find that the inside of the moss mound isn't drying out fast enough, I suggest remounding the moss, but putting a small inverted net pot inside. It really helps the moss dry out faster and helps get the roots a lot of air.

[WhiteRabbit]

Use a skewer, water thoroughly when dry.
The Neos I have gotten from SE always had some styro in the center, and dried pretty evenly.

[AnonYMouse]

Those ~3" pots fit nicely in 9 oz. Solo cups. I have cups labeled for each plant. I place the pot in the cup and add water. Drain after a few minutes.

[reliablefool]

Thanks so much everyone! I was just hesitant about drenching it when dry since I've had trouble with moss staying wet too long in the past. Very excited, but two of the plants are smaller because I had already spent more than I had planned at this show. Hehe. Luckily a woman bought almost all of the catasetum/fredclarkeara, etc. from SVO before I could decide on whether or not to get one (I walked around 4 or 5 times...xP).

And so my adventure in the neofinetia world beings...

[Hakumin]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Use a skewer, water thoroughly when dry.
The Neos I have gotten from SE always had some styro in the center, and dried pretty evenly.

Huh, odd I've never had styrofoam in the moss in my orders from seed engei....?

[MattWoelfsen]

Amazing Anon Y Mouse, I am doing the same now with all of my Neofinetia. I have them all in trays and I let them wick up the water. This has made it very easy to water as I put water in the plant tray.

The reason I am doing this, I have noticed that there are water spots on the leaves when I water from above. With this method, no risk of spotting AND leaf rot from standing water in the plant.

Reliablefool, welcome to Neofineta World! If you really get into reading about your plants and the history, and the folklore--you will find growing these plants enjoyable.