Its a spike!

[shakkai]

Thanks everyone!! Yes, virtual cigars all around!! (We should have a smilie for that!!)

Gloria, I have been more excited about seeing this flower than I have for any other so far. Its my first seedling of a hybrid to flower - so I had no idea, really, what the flower was going to be like. But, yes, it has been super fun!

Kiki, every minute of waiting was worth it when I woke up and saw this this morning! My first baby has bloomed!! Yay!!

Yvan, thank you so much for being there cheering me on every step of the way. Somehow, sharing the progress with all of you has made the waiting that bit easier!!

Now... if only the others would start to spike!!

[bellini girl]

Pretty darned gorgeous. Way to grow

Lecent

[quiltingwacko]

Lovely color and shape! Woo hoo! Doesn't it drive you nuts waiting for it to open?

[quiltergal]

Absolutely gorgeous! I think I'm in love! Pass the cigars please. Great growing Shannon!

[Don Perusse]

We all share in your excitement. Great Color and a nice looking Babe!

[caseydoll]

It's even more beautiful than I imagined! What a gorgeous deep color. I am beyond excited for you! It's another one that I could sit and stare at for hours.

[snow]

i.m sooo jealous! in a good way ofcourse.

[Grandma M]

We all enjoyed the Grand Opening with you. Thanks for sharing your excitment.

Marilyn

[DelawareJim]

Congratulations! That's a great flower. I've always liked Andean Fire. I'll have to add this one to my wish list; along with my ever expanding list of Neos which is your fault too BTB.

When you posted about getting your fix by potting up a bunch of Neos, I Googled them to figure out what was so great about these things. Well, I'm hooked. I've been searching and reading all I can about these little gems and can't wait to try my first one. I think I'm going to start with a basic Fu Ran or a Fukujumaru although the pinks and yellow are quite impressive. Yes, discipline and patience part of what these are all about but unfortunately a weakness I wrestle with all the time. I really want to grow this out in the traditional method and I think searching and selecting the proper pot is just as much fun as deciding on the right plant. Any good pot sources you know of? I've been looking at New World Orchids but I'm not quite ready to shell out $90 for a 4-inch pot.

Sorry for the highjack.

Again, great flower!

Cheers.
Jim

[shakkai]

No talk about Neos is a hi-jack in my opinion! I'm happy to talk about them any time, anywhere!!

I, along with Gwen and Marilyn, have most of my own Neos potted in the non-traditional, but very Japanese feeling, pots from Erin Pottery. They are different to the traditional pots - so it may not be what you are looking for... but.... the Neos that I've had in these kinds of pots for any even just a couple of months have really been doing incredibly well. (I'll see if I can get some photos, when I get home from work, of the root growth in some of these.)

I would recommend - starting out - three plants to give you some variety from the very beginning: an Amami Island (nice, big, lots of flowers, and a fast grower); Hanagoromo (quite nice golden leaves, not too expensive, can be grown fairly quickly into a good sized, beautiful plant); Tamakongo (gets to be a nice, gorgeous clump) or even Suikuden (if its not too expensive, as it has more interesting curved leaves).


Another feather in the cap (where's the smilie for that??) of The Enabler!! I strike when you least expect it!!