neofinitia from SB orchid show (for leslie) - Orchid Board

u bada · #1 03-09-2016, 12:35 AM

Just read leslie is a big neo collector, well saw these at the Santa barbara orchid show last weekend... I know about the growing practice a bit about the history (there's a lengthy thread about it on here) but don't know much...

I happen to like these pieces I photographed below, especially the last one... perhaps leslie or others can talk about these if they'd like...

Seed Engei was there and this was their display. Really beautiful display, also included den moniliformes and cymbidiums (not pictured here)... if I were better off financially I probably would have blown a lot on some of their stuff (exquisite stuff) but being that i struggle will all of these I resisted... it was hard...

enjoy!

bethmarie · #2 03-09-2016, 08:24 AM

Stunning plant!

No-Pro-mwa · #3 03-09-2016, 11:27 AM

They really are nice plants. To bad they weren't in bloom.

Leslie · #4 03-09-2016, 11:33 AM

Hi UBada, you did the right thing. Before you spend lots of money on an expensive neo, you will need to grow the normal varieties (like Shutenno, Hisui, Amanogawa, Benisuzume, Ogonmaru) for a season or two to get the hang of it. Once you are comfortable with them culturally and rebloom them, you can start getting the more expensive varieties. There are a lot of posts on neo culture. For special varieties, you can check some of my old post under my old username 'NeofinetiaCanada2014' here in OB.

Can you tell me the name of plant in pic? I can't see tag clearly. What were some of the neos from SeedEngei you were considering in the sales area?

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u bada · #5 03-09-2016, 01:08 PM

From what i understand, these plants are grown and appreciated for it's entire presentation of foliage roots and pot (like bonsai) almost moreso than flowers, so i don't believe it's unusual for these plants to be shown without flowers.

Ya know, I didn't take pictures of the tags like i normally do as I was afraid to mess up the plants/display. Also I didn't have much time so I sort ran through the show. Likewise I looked at what seed engei had but didn't take down names... :/

leslie, neos are probably one of my fav orchids of all time, but sadly I don't believe I can grow them. one of the oldest plants I have (from this time around of orchid collecting) it's a neo coincidently- princess masako x white tara,AND it's mounted. the tamakongo was potted. I have a ascofinetia that refuses to bloom, although I have a neostylis hybrid spiking now so that's something.

I think the biggest issue is keeping them wet enough but not rotting in areas that get good light but not too much... and i also think not having consistent if not high humidity is a big problem as well. Feel free to tell me I'm wrong and i would try more...

I have probably the hardest time with den moniliforme another fav plant, and don't they need the same conditions?

If i decided to get more, of course they would be the smallest growers as that's my thing. Wouldn't mind putting an order with new world if someone twisted my hand...

I'll find pics of my neo in bloom when I have the chance, if you're interested.

Leslie · #6 03-09-2016, 01:25 PM

Growing neos is a challenge because people tend to overcare them. What's important is to keep them on wet/dry cycle. Wet after watering and dry throughout before watering; mist media (not leaves) between waterings on sunny (only) days.

Do you mount yours on moss the traditional way (besides the mounted one)?

I would buy new plants in spring season because they will start to root and establish fast.

Here's part of my collection:

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Leslie · #7 03-09-2016, 01:29 PM

Dendrobium monoliforme like cool phal conditions, moist (not wet) most of the year. In winter let dry a day only. I used to dry then out in between all year but they sulked until I grew them like phals; T=12-30C, low light, moist.

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u bada · #8 03-09-2016, 10:01 PM

Wow that's a beautiful collection.

i really should have picked some neos up at the show lol.

Perhaps that explains things... the neos I had that died including the tamakongo and an amami and something else were all potted. I put one in a moss ball and they all rotted starting from the leaves, and i watered them like many of the orchids by saturating with my spray bottle... but I did stop doing that after one or leaves would start rotting... the mounted one of course dries out fast or I simply soak the roots... so if it's watering that's the problem, how the %^&&* do they handle getting watered by rain in the wild?!! The current neo hybrids succeeding I only water when towards complete dry although i certainly water them way more frequently than I did before.

moss ball is better way to go in your opinion than mounted or potted in bark, etc?

As for the den moniliforme... interesting you said that re care of them because my remaining ones have been happy in a glass partially open cylinder with moss kept moist below pots outside in pretty much all day shade...

thanks for the tips, appreciate very much

estación seca · #9 03-10-2016, 12:09 AM

I understood a lot after I went looking for photos of these species in habitat.

Leslie · #10 03-10-2016, 12:17 PM

Thanks for the compliment UBada on my collection.

The key to neo growing is to adjust to your conditions with your media. Neos grow in anything; mounted, moss ball, bark mix, rocks even! They just need to dry in between waterings and 40-60% humidity. If humidity is low, they can lose leaves and overwatering to compensate will not help (kills roots and plants). I keep humidity up by spraying top moss lightly on sunny days (water gets to top 0.5 cm only) and humidity trays under. Neos are light feeders so once a month balance fertilizer is all you need while growing in spring and summer. I fertilize once only in winter with organic fertilizer like fish emulsion and seakelp.

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