Seeking help with first Neo & Kokedama
Login
User Name
Password   


Registration is FREE. Click to become a member of OrchidBoard community
(You're NOT logged in)

menu menu

Sponsor
Donate Now
and become
Forum Supporter.

Seeking help with first Neo & Kokedama
Many perks!
<...more...>


Sponsor
 

Google


Fauna Top Sites
Register Seeking help with first Neo &amp; Kokedama Members Seeking help with first Neo &amp; Kokedama Seeking help with first Neo &amp; Kokedama Today's PostsSeeking help with first Neo &amp; Kokedama Seeking help with first Neo &amp; Kokedama Seeking help with first Neo &amp; Kokedama
LOG IN/REGISTER TO CLOSE THIS ADVERTISEMENT
Go Back   Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web ! > >
Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #21  
Old 08-27-2021, 10:57 AM
Roberta's Avatar
Roberta Roberta is offline
Super Moderator
 

Join Date: Jun 2008
Zone: 10a
Location: Coastal southern California, USA
Posts: 12,931
Seeking help with first Neo &amp; Kokedama Female
Default

WW, the "details" that I failed to observe when I tried to use the moss mound approach were things like not having that air pocket in the middle and not changing the moss often enough (and probably keeping it too wet) The moss-mound approach permits the elegant display of these charming little plants - in shows the pots are magnificent works of art. Beautiful whether in bloom nor not. My plants, Neos included, are not so refined. "Refined" just doesn't fit my growing pattern.
__________________
Orchids teach patience!

Roberta's Orchids (Visit my back yard)

See what orchid species are blooming in Southern California(New page for APRIL 2024)

Last edited by Roberta; 08-27-2021 at 10:59 AM..
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 08-27-2021, 07:07 PM
Hakumin Hakumin is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 450
Seeking help with first Neo &amp; Kokedama Male
Default

Reasons for choosing any specific medium aside, if you want to pot in sphagnum using the traditional Japanese method (which is not a kokedama, btw), you need to make sure that you don't over water no matter what method you choose to water (then again, that also goes for any medium). Many outdoor Neo growers will thoroughly soak the plant with a good spray with a hose. Some soak them in a bucket or a tub (though sharing soaking water is risky at best). Some carefully water only the moss, and others bottom water. I water mine in the shower until the moss is thoroughly soaked.

Regardless of how you water, the most important thing is to allow the moss to dry out both inside and outside of the moss before watering again.

The moss mound should dry out to a crunchy state on the inside, within 5 days of a heavy drench or soaking. If it takes longer than that, you need to change one or more of the following things:

Density of the moss - If the moss takes too long to dry, it could mean that the moss is packed too densely in the pot. The open core method of potting, especially using an internal netted structure makes it difficult to pot too densely, so is highly recommended. The moss should be no denser than what's needed to keep a well rooted plant stable. If the plant has few roots, support it with floral wire or stakes rather than increasing the density.

Pot porosity - unglazed clay pots wick away moisture from the moss, which help it dry faster and more evenly. Plastic pots, even with huge slits or holes don't dry anywhere near as evenly, so clay pots are highly recommended.

Air circulation - Insufficient air circulation will make the moss dry out slowly. A light breeze is recommended 24/7. Incidentally, sufficient air circulation is recommended with any growing medium. All the complaints of crown rot or disease caused by water trapped between the leaves are 100% solved by sufficient air circulation, even when the temperatures are low.

Humidity - while higher humidity is generally good for neos, the higher the humidity, the stronger the air circulation needs to be. Especially at levels above 80% humidity, ensure the air circulation is sufficient to dry out the moss completely within 5 days of a heavy drench. Ideal humidity is approximately 60%-80% at nighttime, but supplemented humidity during the daytime is generally unnecessary and may cause the plants to be prone to rot.

Once you have your potting method and environmental conditions to a point where the moss dries out in an appropriate amount of time, then you can adjust the watering frequency a bit to ensure best growth. During the growing season, you can water a smidge more frequently, once the inside of the moss is dry but not yet crunchy, and in the winter when they aren't growing, you should water a bit less frequently once the inside of the moss is fully crunchy.

If the growing area temperatures are above 60F in the winter, let the moss stay crunchy dry for just 1 to 3 days before watering. If it generally stays below 60F, don't drench, just give them a light shower, once every 7-10 days.

Last edited by Hakumin; 08-28-2021 at 10:58 AM..
Reply With Quote
Post Thanks / Like - 2 Likes
Likes Mr.Fakename, RoseSD liked this post
  #23  
Old 08-28-2021, 10:47 AM
WaterWitchin's Avatar
WaterWitchin WaterWitchin is offline
Administrator
 

Join Date: Feb 2011
Zone: 6a
Location: Kansas
Posts: 5,047
Default

Perfect Hakumin! Thank you SO much.

I knew kokedama wasn't probably the right word, but it was as close as I could come. Was hoping you might chime in sooner or later. Viewing the link you posted, now it makes sense why I couldn't find the right word. You'd think as iconic and revered as Neofinetia is, there would be a specific word for it. Moss mound, indeed.

The explanation of watering gives me an idea of how I want this mounting experiment to work. And as suspected, I tried making one yesterday. I was correct...Fischer makes it look so simple and easy. What a toddler-sized mess I made. Even worse was then trying to figure out how to marry it up with the vase.

I'll attempt a modified idea today.

---------- Post added at 09:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:58 AM ----------

Aaaaand, I've been bitten by a Neo bug. Just ordered a Neofinetia falcata ’Shutennou,' with supposedly three fans. Been looking at it for a week now.

New to me vendor on Etsy. We'll see how it delivers, etc, and whether I can get it to bloom and see if it's the real deal.

Now to go muddle around with moss again...
__________________
Caveat: Everything suggested is based on my environment and culture. Please adjust accordingly.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 08-28-2021, 11:06 PM
estación seca's Avatar
estación seca estación seca is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Jun 2015
Zone: 9b
Location: Phoenix AZ - Lower Sonoran Desert
Posts: 17,923
Seeking help with first Neo &amp; Kokedama Male
Default

I have a gutter Neo from Hausermann's with three fans. It arrived in extra-large bark. I stuck it in my sunroom, where it gets an automatic spray with tap water once a day. I don't have to take care of it at all. I was surprised by the aroma of the flowers one day; I didn't even realize it was in spike.

Because it was so easy, earlier this year I ordered a little Hisu (jade) one from them [sic; correction: this should be Hisui according to Hakumin] and a little pink one from Carter & Holmes, 'Newberry Blush' x 'Bubbleyum', siblings from a selfing of their pink 'Mendenhall'.

When they came each was smaller than an individual parsley leaf. Eeek! But they have been easy to grow.

The Hisui came in a 1" / 2.5cm net pot with a few chunks of bark, nestled into a rectangular outer plastic pot. The pink one came in a thumbnail clay pot half full of tree fern fiber. Most of its roots seem to be on top of the fiber, with only a few growing into it. It has ruby root tips! The pink one has grown much better, I think because the roots stay moist longer.
__________________
May the bridges I've burned light my way.

Weather forecast for my neighborhood

Last edited by estación seca; 08-30-2021 at 01:10 AM.. Reason: Correct name of green variety Neofinetia
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 08-29-2021, 10:01 AM
WaterWitchin's Avatar
WaterWitchin WaterWitchin is offline
Administrator
 

Join Date: Feb 2011
Zone: 6a
Location: Kansas
Posts: 5,047
Default

If I ordered any orchid and it arrived looking like a single parsley leaf, I'd faint dead away.
__________________
Caveat: Everything suggested is based on my environment and culture. Please adjust accordingly.
Reply With Quote
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes
Likes estación seca liked this post
  #26  
Old 08-29-2021, 11:15 AM
Hakumin Hakumin is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 450
Seeking help with first Neo &amp; Kokedama Male
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by estación seca View Post

Because it was so easy, earlier this year I ordered a little Hisu (jade) one from them and a little pink one from Carter & Holmes, 'Newberry Blush' x 'Bubbleyum', siblings from a selfing of their pink 'Mendenhall'.

When they came each was smaller than an individual parsley leaf. Eeek! But they have been easy to grow.

The Hisu came in a 1" / 2.5cm net pot with a few chunks of bark, nestled into a rectangular outer plastic pot.
It sounds like what you got were seedlings that were only just deflasked, and too early at that. Keep in mind that while Hisui is seed propagable, that not all of its seedlings will bloom with green flowers. Only the seedlings that are eventually confirmed to have green flowers are appropriately called Hisui. The same goes for any Neo variety grown for their flower colors.

Last edited by Hakumin; 09-07-2021 at 11:36 AM..
Reply With Quote
Post Thanks / Like - 2 Likes
Likes estación seca, RoseSD liked this post
  #27  
Old 08-29-2021, 02:48 PM
estación seca's Avatar
estación seca estación seca is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Jun 2015
Zone: 9b
Location: Phoenix AZ - Lower Sonoran Desert
Posts: 17,923
Seeking help with first Neo &amp; Kokedama Male
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hakumin View Post
It sounds like what you got were seedlings that were only just deflasked, and too early at that. Keep in mind that while Hisui is seed propagable, that not all of its seedlings will bloom with green flowers. Only the seedlings that are eventually confirmed to have green flowers are appropriately called Hisui.
Thank you. I'm still surprised how well they are growing, and how steadily.
__________________
May the bridges I've burned light my way.

Weather forecast for my neighborhood
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 08-29-2021, 10:16 PM
Hakumin Hakumin is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 450
Seeking help with first Neo &amp; Kokedama Male
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by estación seca View Post
Thank you. I'm still surprised how well they are growing, and how steadily.
I've gotten several Neos over the years that had just been deflasked immediately before a 3-5 day trip to the US from Korea. None of them had any issue establishing or growing. Neos are super sturdy little things as long as you don't overwater them.
Reply With Quote
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes
Likes estación seca liked this post
  #29  
Old 08-30-2021, 01:30 AM
estación seca's Avatar
estación seca estación seca is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Jun 2015
Zone: 9b
Location: Phoenix AZ - Lower Sonoran Desert
Posts: 17,923
Seeking help with first Neo &amp; Kokedama Male
Default

Here are the two infants. Hisui on the left, pink on the right.

Seeking help with first Neo &amp; Kokedama-neofinetia_falcata_hisui_and_pink_20210829_seca-jpg

I was sure these were going to die when they arrived, because they were so tiny. They've been growing steadily every since. If you've wanted to grow this plant, get one. The moss ball method works well in a summer humid monsoonal climate like Japan, for people with the discipline not to overwater, and the discipline to decrease watering in the fall. If you don't fall into these categories, plant them in large chunks of something and water a lot in summer. In winter don't water much, only a light spritz on warm days. They're fine going far over a month with no water during cool weather.

The people here on OB who've reported problems with them have frequently kept them too wet, especially in late summer and fall, when temperatures drop. Adult plants really, truly do just fine with no water for weeks. And I strongly recommend you learn on an inexpensive common plant rather than an expensive variety.
__________________
May the bridges I've burned light my way.

Weather forecast for my neighborhood

Last edited by estación seca; 08-30-2021 at 01:33 AM..
Reply With Quote
Post Thanks / Like - 2 Likes
Likes WaterWitchin, Fuerte Rav liked this post
  #30  
Old 09-05-2021, 01:07 AM
RubyRootsRule RubyRootsRule is offline
Jr. Member
 

Join Date: Sep 2021
Posts: 4
Seeking help with first Neo &amp; Kokedama
Default

Hi WaterWitchin,

I got bit by the neo bug pretty bad, just wondering, have you decided how you're going to wrap your neos?

Of all the demos I've watched, this one has been the most helpful. It's in 6 parts,

Neofinetia pots have a large hole at the bottom for air flow. This large hole also enables you to know when it's time to water again, the outside moss might be crispy but the inside will still be damp. So you wait until it's just dry to water again.

Last edited by WaterWitchin; 09-07-2021 at 10:26 AM..
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
kokedama, mount, neo, style, totally


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Kokedama mini phal Auntsc Hybrids 14 04-24-2021 03:35 PM
Seeking phalaenopsis-sierra-gold for purchase OliverStarr Hybrids 3 11-30-2020 02:17 PM
Seeking terrarium recs nzadro Pleurothallis Alliance 12 06-28-2020 08:14 AM
Seeking Tissue Culture for Ghost Orchid aaronsaxton Advanced Discussion 8 08-18-2015 05:25 PM
Desperately seeking a particular hybrid Sotetsu Hybrids 15 04-30-2010 07:55 AM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:54 PM.

© 2007 OrchidBoard.com
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.37 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.

Clubs vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.