LIGHT
Neofinetias prefer medium light levels, from 1500 - 3000 foot-candles. If you are growing under fluorescent lights, keep the plants about 6" - 8" from the tubes. Under high-intensity lamps, grow approximately 4 feet from the fixture. This plant can be grown on windowsills, given an east, south, or west exposure. Plants may be grown outdoors in the summer with filtered sunlight.
TEMPERATURE
This plant can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. In the spring and summer, day-time temperature should be 70º F or above, with a 10 to 15 degree difference at night. During winter months, day temperatures below 65º F are preferred. Neofinetia falcata will tolerate winter temperatures in the upper 30's!
HUMIDITY
should be kept from 40 to 60%. Use humidity trays or a small room humidifier when growing on windowsills.
WATER & FERTILIZER
Use clean water, such as rainwater, distilled or reverse osmosis water if possible. Flush the plant regularly, especially if using municipal or well water. Never use artificially softened water. Let the plants dry out between watering. Use ample water in spring and summer while the plants are in active growth and in flower, reducing quantities during cooler winter days. Use a balanced fertilizer year-round, preferably urea-free. If using rain, distilled, or reverse osmosis water, add some municipal or well water to supply the necessary calcium and magnesium. Fertilize very lightly every other watering during the growing season, once a month during the winter rest period should do.
FLOWERING
Neofinetias bloom mostly from spring through fall. The inflorescence may have from three to fifteen flowers. Most forms have white flowers with a long nectary-spur. They will last from one to two months, and are extremely fragrant both day and night. There are also pink, green, cherry-red and yellow-colored forms, as well as those with variegated leaves and different growth habits.
REPOTTING
Repotting of this plant is preferably done in the spring and early summer, every two to three years. Either clay, plastic, or net pots, or wood baskets will work.
TEMPERATURE
This plant can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. In the spring and summer, day-time temperature should be 70º F or above, with a 10 to 15 degree difference at night. During winter months, day temperatures below 65º F are preferred. Neofinetia falcata will tolerate winter temperatures in the upper 30's!
HUMIDITY
should be kept from 40 to 60%. Use humidity trays or a small room humidifier when growing on windowsills.
WATER & FERTILIZER
Use clean water, such as rainwater, distilled or reverse osmosis water if possible. Flush the plant regularly, especially if using municipal or well water. Never use artificially softened water. Let the plants dry out between watering. Use ample water in spring and summer while the plants are in active growth and in flower, reducing quantities during cooler winter days. Use a balanced fertilizer year-round, preferably urea-free. If using rain, distilled, or reverse osmosis water, add some municipal or well water to supply the necessary calcium and magnesium. Fertilize very lightly every other watering during the growing season, once a month during the winter rest period should do.
FLOWERING
Neofinetias bloom mostly from spring through fall. The inflorescence may have from three to fifteen flowers. Most forms have white flowers with a long nectary-spur. They will last from one to two months, and are extremely fragrant both day and night. There are also pink, green, cherry-red and yellow-colored forms, as well as those with variegated leaves and different growth habits.
REPOTTING
Repotting of this plant is preferably done in the spring and early summer, every two to three years. Either clay, plastic, or net pots, or wood baskets will work.
Sphagnum
Using a good-quality, long-fibered sphagnum moss, place the root ball over a small amount of moss. Wrap the root ball securely in sphagnum moss, so that the plant does not wobble. Keep the base of the plant higher than the rim of the pot. Plants can be similarly planted using osmunda fiber.
Using a good-quality, long-fibered sphagnum moss, place the root ball over a small amount of moss. Wrap the root ball securely in sphagnum moss, so that the plant does not wobble. Keep the base of the plant higher than the rim of the pot. Plants can be similarly planted using osmunda fiber.
Possible Potting Mixes
A: 3 parts sphagnum, 1 part perlite or #3 sponge rok, 1 part medium tree fern fiber
B: 3 parts fine fir bark, 1 part perlite or #3 sponge rok, 1 part fine tree fern fiber
C: 3 parts fine fir bark, 1 part perlite or #3 sponge rok, 1 part chopped sphagnum
Any of the above mixes can be used - or something similar - these plants are not very particular. You want to have an open mix that will drain freely. Pot as you would most other orchids, keeping the base of the plant above the top of the media.
A: 3 parts sphagnum, 1 part perlite or #3 sponge rok, 1 part medium tree fern fiber
B: 3 parts fine fir bark, 1 part perlite or #3 sponge rok, 1 part fine tree fern fiber
C: 3 parts fine fir bark, 1 part perlite or #3 sponge rok, 1 part chopped sphagnum
Any of the above mixes can be used - or something similar - these plants are not very particular. You want to have an open mix that will drain freely. Pot as you would most other orchids, keeping the base of the plant above the top of the media.
When growing in a basket, line the basket with a thin layer of sphagnum or coconut fiber to keep the mix from falling through the slats.
Plants may also be mounted on cork or tree fern plaques, or on wood branches like oak, sassafras, etc. You can mount the plants with a little sphagnum or osmunda to help keep them moist.
If kept humid, some growers plant Neofinetias on rocks with live moss.
