Anyone ever try neos in S/H

[mspatt]

I've never grown anything in S/H, but Ray Barkalow gave a presentation at my OS and I think I'll have to give it a try. The combination of circulating air and constant moisture sounds like a boon for most of the things I grow, but my neos are special. They are tough little guys, I know, but still I am not quite sure...

So I need advice from someone who has tried a neo in S/H. Can I make the move at this time of year? I don't see any new root growth, but there are tiny new fans making their appearance. Is that enough or should I wait until Spring? Are neos harder to adapt than ,say, a phal?

Any hints or tips from anyone who is familiar with this method of growing neos. would be appreciated. TIA!!

[Ray]

My visit to Columbus was a blast. Great group of folks.

I have never been successful at growing neos in "regular" culture. (I'm not a big fan of white flowers anyway, so never put any effort into understanding their specific needs.)

I tried one in S/H and was not successful with that, either, but that might have been for the same reason.

[trdyl]

I have had a Neostylis Lou Sneary 'Kultana' in S/H over 5 years now. It is growing and blooming extremely well. It is one of the few vandaceous that has taken really well to S/H. Granted it is a hybrid. But I do believe I have seen other posts here regarding this species in S/H and looked great.

[Ray]

Like Ted, I have several neo x vandaceous hybrids that are doing well, but as I said before, not a straight neo.

[kavanaru]

I have several Neos in S/H and they are growing very well... however, they resented the transfer more than other plants, and did not bloom the first year (ok, it could have been effect of not giving them a cold rest, as I wanted to induce the production of roots - which worked pretty well). From ca. 12 different Neofinetias, I lost one and almost lost a second one (both were pretty weak when received from NWO). I keep my fingers crossed they bloom this year and show me they are happy in S/N not only by producing roots and leave, but also flowers...

My Neostyls did not like S/H at all..

[DelawareJim]

I've read here that several people have tried growing them in S/H and about half have had no problems, and half lost or almost lost their plants.

While the rate of uncertainty is too high for me, I did put a division of my Neo. 'Leesburg' in PrimeAgra in a plastic Vanda basket earlier this year as an experiment. I know it's traditional growing and not S/H, but I figured if my typical form from Gwen can grow well mounted and my 'Leesburg' in a Vanda basket dries out so quickly, it can't hurt. Besides, I'm getting tired to removing it from a basket to replace the decomposed sphag. every year.

Cheers.
Jim

[mspatt]

Jim, That is exactly why I wanted to try S/H--I am tired of changing the sphag every year!(And I'm not very good at the traditional potting method, anyway.) I like your idea of putting it in a net pot of Prime Agra . I still think I will experiment on one of the cheaper Neos, but now I am not nearly as fearful of losing one of my "babies".

Thanks for the response.

[Hera]

I tried an ascofenitia in s/h and it really didn't like it. I would stick to the sphag. If it ain't broke...........

[Beverly]

I put a couple growths from a bigger plant in S/H a few months ago. It's starting to put out new roots. It might be to early to tell how it's going to grow.
Beverly

[s.kallima]

I have a Neo falcata in S/H since aug. 2008. It grew tons of roots that summer year and I gave it a cold rest from nov. to feb. (keeping the reservoir without water). It started to grow again in march, and bloomed in august 09.
The amount of roots in the pellets is amazing, they branch from all sides and many are at the bottom of the pot in the water reservoir.
Each of the 5 fans has a spike "bud" since late fall 09, hopefully they will develop all this year ! (What I call a spike "bud" is the very beginning of a spike that develops in the fall and starts growing into a spike the next spring)