Neo Falcata "Senzai" culture advice -- should I buy?

[thorchid]

Hello all!

I'm a newbie to this forum but not to orchid stuff so much, though there's a lot of things that I'm still eager to learn about. I do all my orchid-ing on windowsills, with the exception of a little bare bones terrarium for shadier/cooler growing plants. Lately I've found myself with Neofinetia types of plants. I'm not quite sure how this happened, but, meh, I like 'em. Generally things go well with them. Haven't gotten any to rebloom yet, but they're growing and putting out some nice air roots and all that.

SO -- on to my question. I came across this fabulous little plant while browsing the wonderful world of the interwebs: Neofinetia Falcata 'Senzai' -- a dwarf bean leaf type. Dang, the plant is adorable! However, it's $130+ (lots of growths, though). I'm really tempted to buy it -- really tempted. But I thought I'd ask if anyone 'round these parts with more experience with Neos like this could give me some advice or recommendations about caring for this type of plant effectively without accidentally killing it!

It looks to be potted in the traditional Neo fashion -- elevated on a sphagnum mound. I've tried this before and didn't have success with it, so I grow mine in a bark/perlite/charcoal mix and they seem to be happy there. However, I've never had one of these smaller bean leaf types, so I thought I'd see if anyone here could let me know their experience with these less common types of Neos and/or whether you think it would be possible to grow this little gem under the conditions I have.

Just for reference, here are the Neo-ish types/hybrids I have that are happily growing/rooting in an east-facing window with filtered light:
--Neofinetia Falcata x2
--Neostylis Lou Sneary "Pinky"
--Neostylis "Pinky" (Neo Falcata x Rhyncostylis gigantea "spot")
--Neo Falcata x Ascocentrum miniatum
--Darwinara Rainbow

Does anyone have any recommendations here as to whether the Senzai might grow under similar conditions? I'd really appreciate any advice from any of you folks who have more experience than I do.

Thanks!

[DeaC]

Originally Posted by thorchid

Hello all!

I'm a newbie to this forum but not to orchid stuff so much, though there's a lot of things that I'm still eager to learn about. I do all my orchid-ing on windowsills, with the exception of a little bare bones terrarium for shadier/cooler growing plants. Lately I've found myself with Neofinetia types of plants. I'm not quite sure how this happened, but, meh, I like 'em. Generally things go well with them. Haven't gotten any to rebloom yet, but they're growing and putting out some nice air roots and all that.

SO -- on to my question. I came across this fabulous little plant while browsing the wonderful world of the interwebs: Neofinetia Falcata 'Senzai' -- a dwarf bean leaf type. Dang, the plant is adorable! However, it's $130+ (lots of growths, though). I'm really tempted to buy it -- really tempted. But I thought I'd ask if anyone 'round these parts with more experience with Neos like this could give me some advice or recommendations about caring for this type of plant effectively without accidentally killing it!

It looks to be potted in the traditional Neo fashion -- elevated on a sphagnum mound. I've tried this before and didn't have success with it, so I grow mine in a bark/perlite/charcoal mix and they seem to be happy there. However, I've never had one of these smaller bean leaf types, so I thought I'd see if anyone here could let me know their experience with these less common types of Neos and/or whether you think it would be possible to grow this little gem under the conditions I have.

Just for reference, here are the Neo-ish types/hybrids I have that are happily growing/rooting in an east-facing window with filtered light:
--Neofinetia Falcata x2
--Neostylis Lou Sneary "Pinky"
--Neostylis "Pinky" (Neo Falcata x Rhyncostylis gigantea "spot")
--Neo Falcata x Ascocentrum miniatum
--Darwinara Rainbow

Does anyone have any recommendations here as to whether the Senzai might grow under similar conditions? I'd really appreciate any advice from any of you folks who have more experience than I do.

Thanks!

I have just started my obsession with these and have bought 3 this year. They come from New World Orchids and the owner came to speak at our mtg. and was at a local show. Mine are just put into sphag moss and I grow them under lights. The trick I'm told is to let them dry between waterings and when you do water,don't let water stay in the leaf axils. I fert. weakly about once per week and flush monthly. One is a bean but Senzai is on my list as well. Check out NWO site for her culture list.

[MattWoelfsen]

Senzai 千載 is a smaller bean leaf variety of Neofinetia falcata. It is prized for its small stature. This plant has white, fragrant flowers that are described as "heaven facing." While this plant shares many characteristics of equally small bean leaf plants, it is distinguished by its green stemmed inflorescence and its green axil. Everyone should have this plant.

The price you mentioned is appropriate if it has at least three fans. In comparison, I bought a three fan Senzai for US$40. I agree with DeaC where he (?) recommended you to contact New World Orchids. You should also check Orchids Ltd. both of these vendors offer many Neofinetia varieties.

Your collection of Neofinetia hybrids is very nice.