Growing Vanda falcata in UK - finally long grade sphagnum

[Tom499]

I have five standard plants which have been growing happily on a UK windowsill in pure sphagnum. Two I potted in an attempt at the traditional moss mound but because the sphagnum available wasn't the high quality long strand type it was a struggle. The others are in barked mixed with sphagnum.

This year I managed to find a new source of sphagnum:

Besgrow Spagmoss PREMIER Long Strand Sphagnum Moss 100g

Besgrow Spagmoss PREMIER Long Strand Sphagnum Moss 100g New Zealand Sphagnum Moss Used by Neofinetia falcata growers to wrap around the roots of the species in the classic Japanese method. The Highest Quality New Zealand sphagnum moss is recognised worldwide for its premium quality. In the...

sphagnum.co.uk

I've attached a photo of what came with can for scale the sphagnum looks really good!

Hopefully will repot some Neo's later this week in the traditional style and will share the results

 

[Tom499]

Finally got around to repotting orchids. Kept my originals in their old clay pots, newer plants I've put into fuurikan pots. Hard to find the ceramic ones at a decent price but I've one so far.

Also treated myself to some new ones.

Neofinetia falcata 'Kibana'
Neofinetia falcata 'Murasakitaishi'
Neofinetia falcata 'Yodo no Matsu'

They're addictive!

 

[KyushuCalanthe]

Quality grade, long strand sphagnum has become rather rare even here. Yes, you can buy "the good stuff" if you dig hard enough, but it is in high demand and requires deep pockets. All the poor plants in my collection are currently growing in less than optimal NZ moss.

 

[Tom499]

Hey Tom,
Thats a shame to hear! I love the traditional style and I want to do more of it.

Would love to see some of your plants