Here are three rather lousy shots of one of the aquariums I’ve converted
for use as a basement orchidarium in which to grow my Neofinetia falcata plants.
The plants are all doing quite well now. I hope to feature the new growth
and progress of some of these plants in more detail over the next few weeks.
Maybe there will even be some flowers!
Categories: Indoor Plants
Tagged: Neofinetia falcata, Orchids, Photos
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15 responses so far ↓
Brenda Kula // June 9, 2009 at 5:20 pm
They somehow remind me of scoops of ice cream. Don’t know quite why that came to mind. Let me know how it works. Sounds like an interesting way to garden though.
Brenda
anhinga // June 9, 2009 at 8:40 pm
I can’t wait to see the result. You are a real oracle with orchids.
Josh // June 9, 2009 at 11:43 pm
I agree with anhinga.
And don’t worry so much about the pictures. They’re just starting to grow now… I’m sure we’ll be able to see them in their true form sometime soon. Especially with your green thumb. =)
montucky // June 9, 2009 at 11:43 pm
That seems like a very efficient way to grow them. I would guess you use special plant lights?
Tom // June 10, 2009 at 7:53 am
Nice! And a terrific collection of unusual pots as well.
Tabbie // June 11, 2009 at 7:57 am
This is the traditional Japanese method for growing these plants — on mounds of moss in decorative pots.
The mounds of moss are hollow and there is a large drainage hole in the bottom of each pot. This allows for the plants to not only get plenty of moisture but also plenty of air circulation to avoid rotting of the roots.
I use a combination of specialty aquarium t5 high output fluorescent tubes in order to provide the plants with the spectrum of light most beneficial to their growth, montucky.
I like the fancy pots, Tom, but I wish I had more. Unfortunately some of these fancy little pots carry hefty little price tags around $75 – $100 or more apiece.
Thanks everyone for your comments
Anders // June 11, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Nice Neo collection! And the pots look good.
By the way how is your Hanakanzashi doing? Any flowers coming?
Tabbie // June 11, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Thanks Anders! That same spike is still sitting there dormant. It does not look dead, but I don’t know. Meanwhile this spring a new one has appeared under the next leaf up and to the right of it. The second fan/kiki has grown considerably and the plant seems to be on the move. I am hoping for flowers yet this summer.
Meanwhile, my long-time-sickly Benikanzashi is coming ’round with at least two new roots…I am hopeful that it has decided to approve of its new growing situation.
Could you tell me more about your Nano pipe? How big is it? What kind of lighting? Is there an orchid growing in there?
Anders // June 13, 2009 at 11:25 am
Lets hope you get some flowers on Hanakanzashi and Benikanzashi in the near future, I would love to see how they turn out.
Are they are both seedlings? I just bought a seedling of Manjyushage from Glenn at NWO, should arrive in about a week.
The plastic case of the nano pipe is 53cm high and 27cm in diameter. The lighting consists of three halogen spots (12V/20W each), however one broke down this week. The pipe also gets daylight from a nearby west-facing window. I bought this pipe complete from: http://www.dusk.se/ (sadly the page is only in swedish).
Its a plant of Diplocaulobium chrysotropis that is growing on the pipe, along with a small fern. Other pipes that I have seen usually has small south-american species on them, like Lepanthes, Platystele and Pleurothallis.
Tabbie // June 13, 2009 at 9:04 pm
The nano pipe you have is fascinating, Anders. Thanks for explaining it.
Did you purchase that two growth division of a true 3-spur flowered Manjyushage plant from Glenn (it was very expensive) or did you purchase a seedling?
I will definitely post flowers of my two three-spurred red-flowered plants when they bloom. I can only hope they will both have three spurs, but with my luck they will both end up having normal flowers, LOL. Also I have Soubiryuu which has two spurs and two lips. I will post photos of that one when it blooms too. My plants are all a little behind schedule this year, but now they are starting to show some energetic growth. Flowers should happen later this summer.
Anders // June 14, 2009 at 6:11 am
I settled with a seedling too. The true division is indeed very expensive. So I´m keeping my fingers crossed, feels like a lottery.
I´ve seen pictures of the Soubiryuu, nice flower indeed, quite expensive too. All my plants are later then most others it seems, only spikes so far. Could be due to the fact that they dont get any extra light in the winter.
Jim // June 15, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Very nice collection you have. How did you find the aquarium worked compared with just lining them out on shelves?
As a fairly new entrant into the world of Neos, I just added to my small collection with four plants from Glenn; Gekkeikan, Shutennou, Tamakongo, and an Amani Island. I’m quite pleased with his plants. I think however, it will be awhile before I enter that etherial world of several hundred dollars for a single fan.
Tabbie // June 16, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Hi Jim!
The purpose of the aquariums is pretty much to keep my cat away from my orchids. There are sliding glass doors which go on the front of the aquarium shown, but mostly I use screen doors. A fan several feet away on the floor blows gently into the front and onto the plants.
You got some nice varieties from Glenn! The ethereal world of hundreds of dollars per fan is a very nice realm in which to exist…that is, until you succeed in killing a plant which is worth a small fortune. Been there. Done that.
Still, I love my precious Neos, and I always want more!
Jim // June 17, 2009 at 8:32 am
I well understand the addiction. I think my next addition will be Seikai although I covet your Komachi Musume. That one had everyone in the OrchidBoard drooling when I posted your picture last year.
Cheers.
Tabbie // June 17, 2009 at 8:45 am
Yes, the Komachi Musume is very very pink and exceptionally fragrant too. My Seikai is now growing on a large chunk of purple crystalline quartz. I put some sphagnum on the top of the rock and placed the plant on top of that. It’s doing very well there.