How often do you remoss your Neos, and when?

[camille1585]

I'm having trouble digging up information on this, so I'll ask here. How often do you remoss your Neos, for those potted in the traditional sphagnum mounds?

I know that in general, plants grown in sphagnum should be repotted yearly. I also recall reading somewhere that the serious Neo growers in Japan will remoss their plants at least 4 times a year. Is there a reason for that, or just esthetics?

I'm asking because when I got my first Neos last year (some in september and others in December, most were bare root so I potted them up in the traditional style). Now the sphagnum for most of them has turned green, so I'm wondering if a repot is needed. If yes, is repotting now (explosion of root growth- with many outside of the mound) fine or is there a specific moment for repotting?

[bjmac]

Camille I am interested in this too. I am on the first time to repot, some are blooming and other not. The moss has turned very green maybe my humidity is a little high.

[Hakumin]

Just because the sphagnum turned green, doesn't mean that it needs to be changed. The condition of the inside of the moss is more important than the surface. For minimum repotting keep an eye on how long it takes for the moss to dry. Degraded moss will hold moisture for several days longer than fresh moss. If you notice that the moss is taking longer to dry, then it's probably time to change it. Stretching it out to the fullest, if you used high quality new zealand sphagnum and you regularly flush your pots to remove accumulated fertilizer and salts, you should be able to easily go a full year without repotting. However, your fertilizing, ventilation, watering and other environmental conditions can cause the moss to degrade faster or slower.

Personally though, I remoss about twice a year. Korean and Japanese growers also suggest remossing up to 4 times a year. This is not because the medium degrades that fast or because it's necessary, per se, but frequent remossing does help the keep the roots in tip top shape.

As for when to remoss, you can pretty much do so at any time of the year as long as your growing area temperatures are above 10℃. Many people insist on not repotting while in bud or flower, but I've personally have had no issue with bud blast when repotting at that point.

[camille1585]

Thanks for your reply Hakumin! There is so much to learn about Neo culture, particularily since I don't grow anything else in sphagnum. I will keep an eye on how fast they dry out next time I water. The plants from september were potted in inexpensive (chilean) sphag, so those may need repotting now. Everything else is in NZ sphagnum. Interestingly, the one plant that arrived already potted up still has beautiful sphagnum with no greening. The grower must use a higher quality sphag than what I can find.

[Hakumin]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Interestingly, the one plant that arrived already potted up still has beautiful sphagnum with no greening. The grower must use a higher quality sphag than what I can find.

Or the grower could have used a bactericide or fungicide which has left a residue in the moss

It really doesn't matter how good the quality of the moss is. If your growing environment is good for the algae to thrive, your moss will turn green, no matter what unless you use chemicals.

I say as long as the moss itself isn't degraded, embrace the green. Some growers like it.

[u bada]

If twice a year, I get the idea of repotting in spring before new growth, but when's the second time your repot?

I usually try to repot things in general as little as possible, have had too many problems with what I feel is being disturbed and sulking thing orchids do (grow things best mounted), but it's interesting to me that neos don't mind the frequent repotting. I'd rather grow an orchid less finicky at the roots. Even mounts degrade it and becomes a pain to dismantle and remount.

[Hakumin]

Originally Posted by u bada

If twice a year, I get the idea of repotting in spring before new growth, but when's the second time your repot?

I actually do not attempt to repot all my Neos at once or on a seasonal schedule. With 70+ plants, I personally find it too much effort to do so.

Since I grow indoors, and the temperature never reaches below 50F, I repot year round, 3-5 plants at a time, regardless of season or growth/dormancy. For each plant, it's usually 5-7 months between repotting.

Originally Posted by u bada

I usually try to repot things in general as little as possible, have had too many problems with what I feel is being disturbed and sulking thing orchids do (grow things best mounted), but it's interesting to me that neos don't mind the frequent repotting. I'd rather grow an orchid less finicky at the roots. Even mounts degrade it and becomes a pain to dismantle and remount.

I've never had an issue with neos seeming to sulk after repotting. I've also never really heard anyone complain that they do either. They're awesome that way i guess

[Reeses]

Has anyone had any experience in changing a Neo from bark to moss? I have one that I purchased in bark, and it is growing wonderfully, but I do very much like the look of them in moss.

[Hakumin]

Originally Posted by Reeses

Has anyone had any experience in changing a Neo from bark to moss? I have one that I purchased in bark, and it is growing wonderfully, but I do very much like the look of them in moss.

I've personally have had no issue switching from bark to moss.

But if you're not used to growing in moss to begin with, it might take some time for you to get used to the change in watering habits you'll need to adopt. The plant can suffer if you use bark watering regimen for moss.

If you're used to keeping neos in moss already though, there will be no problem with the switch.

[u bada]

Being relatively new to neos, I experimented earlier this year with shifting a whatever non special asian varietal cross that I got in bark into moss and it adapted nicely. Beautiful new roots have been growing in and around moss. To be clear it's potted into a moss ball, kokedai, style.

I kill most things in bark- if I don't overwater I underwater, I curse with everything i've had to keep in bark thus far- so it was a good thing for me to see it adapt well.

Note that I am in a warmer/drier climate, but I find kokedai style dries out faster than a plant in plastic pot in bark to my experience. I keep thinking if I grew on east coast I'd be watering once every two weeks in plants in plastic and bark. And they'd still rot on me.

As hakumin noted about them not caring too much over repotting, I've found this to be true and very welcome.