In the wild, Neofinetia falcata is found on various Japanese Islands between 32 & 36 Degrees N Latitude, and the climate is much like that of the US Atlantic Coast.
In most cases, you will notice a decrease in growth in the winter months. This will partly depend on where you are located. Root tips will often stop growing, and the fans will slow down quite a bit.
Winter temperatures go down below 30F - but this is not recommended for culture! Temps can be anywhere from 45 to 65 at night, with an increase in the daytime of about 10F. Decrease watering & fertilizing during this period. We water in our greenhouse about once a week with only a light sprinkle. We have forced air heat, which dires the plants out quicker. We fertilize very lightly at this time every 6 weks or so. We use BioGold which is an organic fertilizer that does not burn the plant. Pellets can be soaked in water to make a tea, or place one or two into your growing media.
In Japan, some growers place the plants in a cardboard box in unheated garages for the winter!!!
In the spring you will see quite a bit of new growth starting in March. The roots will be thin at first, then quite a bit thicker when they start to grow again. They will want more water, fertilizer and heat at this time.
Of course, your growing conditions can be different. Some growers don't see any slowing of growth. We don't see any new growths at this time, but last year we added some new HID lights, and the plants bloomed throughout the winter. In nature, Neos grow epiphytically on deciduous trees. In the winter, the trees loose their leaves, so the plants see
more light in the winter than in the summer.
If you have any questions on culture - post em here!
Glenn
New World Orchids
Growing Neofinetia falcata in winter months
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