Need help with my recently imported, bareroot Neofinetia!

[AnonYMouse]

I lost a more coherent post!

The only time I lost multiple-fanned plants (and multiple genera) in quick succession was to suspected bacterial rot. Some had wet-looking spots, some had a faint smell about them but all dropped leaves.

The other leaf drop deaths I have experienced have been due to extreme temp exposure for a different genus but Neos are much more tolerant. Ambient temps and RH shouldn't be a problem. Neither your indoor or outdoor conditions are extreme for their characteristics (relatively thick leaves and fat roots) or native environments.

How did you determine when to water?

I doubt watering or media are an issue for most Neos. I have mine growing in a sphag mound, bareroot on a olla and everything in between and I water all of them at the same time. That means some go wetter than others for longer (or dry faster-perspective). You didn't keep yours perpetually wet, right?

I have lost a fan or two but they dried out independent of others in the pot. Probably self divided with damaged roots.

They are resilient to mite damage, the only pest I have encountered.

I'm not writing as well as I like (it's late) but wanted to present some thoughts to consider.

[skhan]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

I lost a more coherent post!

The only time I lost multiple-fanned plants (and multiple genera) in quick succession was to suspected bacterial rot. Some had wet-looking spots, some had a faint smell about them but all dropped leaves.

The other leaf drop deaths I have experienced have been due to extreme temp exposure for a different genus but Neos are much more tolerant. Ambient temps and RH shouldn't be a problem. Neither your indoor or outdoor conditions are extreme for their characteristics (relatively thick leaves and fat roots) or native environments.

How did you determine when to water?

I doubt watering or media are an issue for most Neos. I have mine growing in a sphag mound, bareroot on a olla and everything in between and I water all of them at the same time. That means some go wetter than others for longer (or dry faster-perspective). You didn't keep yours perpetually wet, right?

I have lost a fan or two but they dried out independent of others in the pot. Probably self divided with damaged roots.

They are resilient to mite damage, the only pest I have encountered.

I'm not writing as well as I like (it's late) but wanted to present some thoughts to consider.

Absolutely! These plants are hard to kill. You can't really underwater them, Camille. I tried more than a month without watering when they were inside my not-too-humid home, they just grew crazy air roots in search of water and dried up a bit, but didn't die.

You can however overwater them, specially when there is not much air movement, and you can certainly kill them by giving them too much light/heat; in this case they will start dropping leaves one by one till they are done, or in extreme cases they will just get (literally) burned.

Anyway, in my experience the best thing you can do to a dying neo (e.g. one that have lost more than 2--3 leaves rapidly) is to completely change its environment/conditions, including potting medium, light, air movement etc., and refrain from watering it, just lightly mist the roots once a day or less. Note that the potting medium doesn't have to be a different type, just a fresh batch will do.

BTW, I really like that Yoroidoshi's shape; just beautiful!

[camille1585]

Thank you for your advice! Now I'm pretty sure that when I first tried these plants 5-6 years ago I was not letting them dry out enough between waterings. Good to know that they tolerate underwatering better than overwatering! The sphag mound is starting to feel crunchy, so I'll wait another day or two and then I'll water.

What's the best way to water sphag mounded Neos? With a spray bottle, or running water through it until it's wet?

They are looking happy and healthy (though still a bit dehydrated from their travels) and hope to keep them that way. I see a dormant growth on the Fugaku, not sure if it's a future fan or spike.

[skhan]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Thank you for your advice! Now I'm pretty sure that when I first tried these plants 5-6 years ago I was not letting them dry out enough between waterings. Good to know that they tolerate underwatering better than overwatering! The sphag mound is starting to feel crunchy, so I'll wait another day or two and then I'll water.

What's the best way to water sphag mounded Neos? With a spray bottle, or running water through it until it's wet?

They are looking happy and healthy (though still a bit dehydrated from their travels) and hope to keep them that way. I see a dormant growth on the Fugaku, not sure if it's a future fan or spike.

Cheers! I'm not an expert, so I'm not sure what the best way is, but I just dunk them in a big bucket to save water/fertilizer (although I understand it's considered to be a bad practice since it can spread diseases from one plant to another). On the other hand, if there is low or no air circulation then I'd just mist them lightly. If you're unsure if they need water, then just stick a finger through the bottom hole (as bad as it sounds ) and if it feels moist, hold off watering. Of course you can water much more during the summer months, specially if you are keeping them outdoors. Good luck!

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by skhan

Cheers! I'm not an expert, so I'm not sure what the best way is, but I just dunk them in a big bucket to save water/fertilizer (although I understand it's considered to be a bad practice since it can spread diseases from one plant to another). On the other hand, if there is low or no air circulation then I'd just mist them lightly. If you're unsure if they need water, then just stick a finger through the bottom hole (as bad as it sounds ) and if it feels moist, hold off watering. Of course you can water much more during the summer months, specially if you are keeping them outdoors. Good luck!

That sounds so wrong! But thanks for the tip. (finger tip??)

[Pattywack]

Camille I use a spray bottle to water with, it takes longer but I prefer it otherwise I would be hauling my Neos to the kitchen. I pull up a chair, put a folded bath towel in my lap and spray until they are dripping.

The majority of my Neos are bean leaf or smaller plants and they dry out faster than the larger pots. I too use the finger test if in doubt but most of my Neos have a tiny net pot inverted in the moss so finger test isn’t practical. I judge by their weight. I let them get crispy dry and very light weight.

Originally I watered once a week, I grow indoors under t5 lights and have a fan running. Depending on the weather, I need to water the smaller pots every 5 days. If it’s raining and humid out, they go longer between watering. With AC running or furnace I run a humidifier and I mist the moss every morning, lightly.

I am still a beginner as far as growing Neofinetia and I’m always looking to learn more.

Most of my orchids are miniature and I’ve used a spray bottle for all of them. I make a lot of trips to refill!

I hope your new Neos are recuperating and adjusting well. They are tough little plants!

[camille1585]

I discovered that the finger method wasn't practical. Mine are directly in net pots, so I need to take the mound out of the pot. But easier said than done, and I didn't try.

I just love these little plants, and if I can keep them happy and get some spikes next year, I want more!!!

[Shoreguy]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Thank you for your advice! Now I'm pretty sure that when I first tried these plants 5-6 years ago I was not letting them dry out enough between waterings. Good to know that they tolerate underwatering better than overwatering! The sphag mound is starting to feel crunchy, so I'll wait another day or two and then I'll water.

What's the best way to water sphag mounded Neos? With a spray bottle, or running water through it until it's wet?

They are looking happy and healthy (though still a bit dehydrated from their travels) and hope to keep them that way. I see a dormant growth on the Fugaku, not sure if it's a future fan or spike.

I don't grow in sphag but in a bark/shredded tree fern mixture. However I still feel I must say something about whether to spray or drench. If you exclusively spray, you run the risk of mineral deposits accumulating in the sphag which will be detrimental to the plant. Therefore if you spray then every so often you must drench to wash out any mineral accumulation. Just be careful after drenching that you wait much longer than usual before the next spray.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Shoreguy

I don't grow in sphag but in a bark/shredded tree fern mixture. However I still feel I must say something about whether to spray or drench. If you exclusively spray, you run the risk of mineral deposits accumulating in the sphag which will be detrimental to the plant. Therefore if you spray then every so often you must drench to wash out any mineral accumulation. Just be careful after drenching that you wait much longer than usual before the next spray.

I actually have been drenching, mostly because keeping up with spraying is difficult to do. So I usually wait for a sunny day to drench them, and I know the sun will dry out the plants before nightfall. So they usually get drenched every 10-12 days, and sprayed daily in between once they are crunchy again.

[Shoreguy]

Originally Posted by Pattywack

Camille I use a spray bottle to water with, it takes longer but I prefer it otherwise I would be hauling my Neos to the kitchen. I pull up a chair, put a folded bath towel in my lap and spray until they are dripping.

The majority of my Neos are bean leaf or smaller plants and they dry out faster than the larger pots. I too use the finger test if in doubt but most of my Neos have a tiny net pot inverted in the moss so finger test isn’t practical. I judge by their weight. I let them get crispy dry and very light weight.

Originally I watered once a week, I grow indoors under t5 lights and have a fan running. Depending on the weather, I need to water the smaller pots every 5 days. If it’s raining and humid out, they go longer between watering. With AC running or furnace I run a humidifier and I mist the moss every morning, lightly.

I am still a beginner as far as growing Neofinetia and I’m always looking to learn more.

Most of my orchids are miniature and I’ve used a spray bottle for all of them. I make a lot of trips to refill!

I hope your new Neos are recuperating and adjusting well. They are tough little plants!

Pattywack,

See my post to Camille above. It does pertain to you.