My first Neo and most certainly not my last ;)

[estación seca]

Some phone cameras seem no longer to record which way is up. They regard all photos as horizontal photos. I have an old computer with year 2000 image software. It regards all photos from my new phone as horizontal. I use the rotation function to rotate them where they are supposed to be, and they post properly on Orchid Board. It's a lot of extra work, but the problem seems to lie with the camera.

[MattWoelfsen]

I think the other problem is that I use an iPad to access and post. I tried to edit my image but I'm finding that feature is not available in Tapatalk. So I went to Safari and tried to edit there and that didn't work.

This is not a Manjushage. But using this photo to see if this will work! So sorry I'm hijacking your thread to figure out this photo posting problem.

[WalkingHorse]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

Welcome to the Orchid Board! I am impressed that you have started your Neofinetia journey with one of the most highly sought out varieties. Well done. This is a great place to learn about Neofinetia. Your Manjushage 曼珠沙華 is a very appealing plant. Have you seen your plant in bloom?

I cannot tell where you are in the US. Are you in Tennessee? Like others have suggested, and you imply that you grow Vanda outside? Then Neofinetia will probably do okay outside. They can tolerate temperatures below 40F. In Japan, they grow them outside. You can find pictures of snow clad Neofinetia on the Internet.

Have you seen your plant in bloom? The flowers are unique compared to other Neofinetia flowers. Here is a picture of mine.

Oh your Manjushage is lovely!! I have not seen one in bloom other than photographs. I had initially ordered a Hanakanzashi from NWO. Kristen got back to me and said that they didn't have any in stock and suggested the Manjushage as a substitute. I love the triple spurs.

My horses are from Tennessee however I am in Texas. I live in a tiny town between Austin and Houston so I am not quite as humid as Houston nor as dry as Austin. My Vandas seem very happy hanging on my back porch with southern exposure. My little neo hybrid (Hiroshima Choice) is very happy there as well as it has already bloomed twice in the past year and is growing roots like mad. However it is bare root.

I moved my Manjushage to the back porch yesterday afternoon but not in quite as much sun as the other guys so that it can acclimate properly.

Thank you all so much for your help!

[MattWoelfsen]

I also have Hiroshima Choice. It is a strong Neofinetia hybrid. My plant is in a net basket with some large, chunky bark--to keep it upright. I am debating on removing it from this net basket and just put it on a wire. In my geography, I am finding that Spanish moss draped over the roots help with the humidity.

Definitely, your Neo will grow well in your geography. My small concern would be when the heat is above 90F day after day. I would make sure the plant is well hydrated. The Hanakanzashi is another highly desirable plant. It is a morph of Shutennou but isn't as stable as the Manjushage. Sometimes you get one or two or three spikes. I am told it becomes more stable the older it gets and the more growths it has.

[WalkingHorse]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

I also have Hiroshima Choice. It is a strong Neofinetia hybrid. My plant is in a net basket with some large, chunky bark--to keep it upright. I am debating on removing it from this net basket and just put it on a wire. In my geography, I am finding that Spanish moss draped over the roots help with the humidity.

Definitely, your Neo will grow well in your geography. My small concern would be when the heat is above 90F day after day. I would make sure the plant is well hydrated. The Hanakanzashi is another highly desirable plant. It is a morph of Shutennou but isn't as stable as the Manjushage. Sometimes you get one or two or three spikes. I am told it becomes more stable the older it gets and the more growths it has.

They seem to do okay with the heat. When it is 90 and above I water twice per day and they are not in midday direct sun.

I saw your post on the Vanda fb group today! Such a small world. I have a very bad Motes habit. Not looking for a cure though.

[MattWoelfsen]

LOL! Yeah, I have several Motes plants. Because of the weather here in Fort Wayne, Indiana, I have to acquire Neofinetia hybrids in order to grow the larger type Vanda. Motes has plenty of those hybrids--much to the woe of my budget! If you do Facebook, look for "Neofinetia falcata" and you will find me and my fellow Furan fanatics!

[WalkingHorse]

I hear ya! So hard to resist their beautiful plants.

I'm on two Neo groups on fb. One is simply Neofintia falcata and the other is the international group. So many gorgeous plants!! I want them all!

[MattWoelfsen]

When I see Furan for sale, a little robot voice comes on and says "danger Will Robinson, danger".