Neofinetia falcata with Rotted/Dead Roots

[meghanize]

I purchased my Neofinetia falcata about three years ago and enjoyed slow, but noticeable growth until this year, during which it just seemed to be in stasis. I finally got around to unpotting it, and as I feared, I see some root loss.

My home climate is between 70-80 degrees, likely far too warm for the Neofinetia's liking. Humidity is fairly high as I keep the plant in the master bathroom so that it can enjoy steam from showers and baths. I doubt I've overwatered the plant; if anything, I've sorely neglected it. It was originally potted in peat in a clay pot.

I'd love to save this plant, but I'm unsure as to the next steps. I'd appreciate any insights that you could provide!

Below is a photo of the damage. Thanks!

[Ranchnanny]

What did you repot it in? I have 3 and they are planted in a mound of spagum moss which I let dry out between waterings.

Sheridan

[meghanize]

I haven't repotted yet. I plan on using sphagnum, but wanted to first ensure that it was the best medium for an ailing plant.

[DelawareJim]

You could also use a standard orchid bark mix. The roots need to dry between waterings.

The peat it was originally planted in is too compacted and heavy a medium which can cause root rot.

A culture sheet and planting tips can be found here:
Culture of Neofinetia falcata -

Winter culture can be found here:
Growing Neofinetia falcata in winter months

Cheers.
Jim

[meghanize]

I trimmed the dead and damaged roots from the plant and repotted it using sphagnum in the "traditional" Japanese style using a bottle to wrap the moss around in order to create a pocket of air.

I placed it in a windowsill to enjoy the mild early fall temps here. It's reaching low 60s in the evenings to low 80s during the heat of the day. It will get a bit more wind this way, as well.

I don't plan on watering it for a bit while it recovers from the stress of being repotted. When I do water, I was wondering if it would be worthwhile to give it a boost with a fancy Neofinetia tonic for wellness.

Any recommendations?

[stefpix]

How do you wrap the moss around with a bottle?

[LinhT]

Originally Posted by meghanize

I placed it in a windowsill to enjoy the mild early fall temps here. It's reaching low 60s in the evenings to low 80s during the heat of the day. It will get a bit more wind this way, as well.

When I do water, I was wondering if it would be worthwhile to give it a boost with a fancy Neofinetia tonic for wellness.

Any recommendations?

Those are your mild Fall temps????? Dang! I had snow on the ground earlier this week and 30's at night right now. So I do not have the option of growing them outside but YOU do I assume your humidity outside is fairly high, yes? If so, find one of those plastic hair rollers with all the holes in it that are about 2 inches long and stick that thing into the middle of your mound through the bottom. In your conditions, I'd think of letting it grow outside, perhaps under a tree or how ever you can get about 50% shade. As long as your winter nights do not go below 40's it should be fine. When the temps do get down to that low, you'll want to keep it more on the dry side. There is no fancy Neo healing tonic, but there is a product called HB-101 you can get on ebay. Seed Engei is a Japanese vendor who's grown mini Japanese species for decades and they recommend this product for the neos. One of my OB buddies has been trying it out and she says she does see bigger roots.

[LinhT]

Originally Posted by stefpix

How do you wrap the moss around with a bottle?

Peter Lin recently added this on his flickr page. It shows pictures of the procedure.

How to repot Neofinetia - a set on Flickr

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by stefpix

How do you wrap the moss around with a bottle?

I remounded my Neos this summer like that, and I was surprised how easy it is to do. I don't know if it's the very correct way to do it, but here it is: I take a bottle (I used a 1/2 liter water bottle) and then wrap/squeeze some damp sphag around the top of it (as tall as you want the mount to be.) For the sphag I soaked it and then squeezed the water out. Then I places a Neo over that first layer of sphag, spreading the roots around it. Then I used long stranded sphag to wrap around the roots, covering them up. Afterwards I let everything dry to pull it off the bottle easily. I also tried taking it off the bottle right away, but it's more difficult since the damp sphag loses it's shape. Then I tucked the bottom of the hollow mound into a pot.

[stefpix]

sounds great. do you put it in a clay pot? when you water doesnt the sphagnum shape fall apart?
is it good for other orchids? maybe cattleyas?