Will this neofinetia setup work well?
 

Hey everyone!

The vendor from New World Orchids sweet talked me into getting a neofinetia!

I got a ruby root tipped neofinetia falcata takakuma and it is very small and cute.

It was in a little teeny basket when I got it, but I didn't like it so I purchased a cup from the Japanese market near me. I drilled a small hole in the bottom (it took an hour with the cheap little nail drill I have) and there is a lot of empty space inside the cup. The moss only goes about 1.5cm deep into the cup, and I shaped it with a hole under it by molding the moss over one of my lipsticks.

That said, I am a bit worried about ventilation in the bottom. Should I drill the hole to be bigger? Or do you think it will be alright as is?

I think the moss on top will have plenty of ventilation and ... well ... I've made my best attempt!

Let me know!

In my opinion, that hole is pointless. The Japanese pots are on legs so air can get up the large hole in the bottom of the pots.
Your plant is small and the mound looks to be high enough so it may do fine for a while. Just watch how much you water. Good luck.
Joann

You're probably right about the hole. I think I'll leave the plant alone for the time being and when it is bigger next year, I'll get a "big" neofinetia pot and maybe even hand paint it myself. :)

I just want the hole to be worthwhile because I spent so much time making it, haha!!

Thank you!

I don't grow my neos on the moss mound, so can't say much here, but congrats on your first neo!

One day when it flowers, you will love it!!!

My neo is in a clay pot and bark. I just mist the roots, top of the bark daily. Been working well for me.

That was one little Takakuma!:) Judging by my own experience- growing on mossballs is great if you have pots with openwork. They might do fine like this for a while, but the middle of the ball may start root rot since not enough air is circulating and the middle will take a long time to dry out.

You can solve it with a air dome in the middle but still, this pot is not suitable for traditional Fuukiran potting.

Though it is very nice!:)

Btw, i also have a takakuma that is about 15-17cm leafspan!:)
I have noticed takakumas can vary a bit in size!

I think it'll be okay but just to be cautious I would take out the moss ball in the middle and replace with an inverted 2" net pot.

P.S. Hi Astrid from youtube!

I bought one saturday and it too is in a clay pot with bark. Are your roots exposed? Can you post a pick? I hate to ruin this since i have wanted it for awhile. Thank you

I agree. I take out the moss ball in the middle right away and replace it with an inverted net pot. I also like a hole on the top so I can finger test the moss. You do have to water kore frequently, for me at least twice a week.

I just mist the roots and the top layer of bark around the roots every morning. Some of the roots are exposed, some are in the pot.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...Photo-0170.jpg