New World Orchids: Two New Neofinetia Orchids
 

Hello all,

Just a quick report on my two new Neofinetia's from New World Orchids.

Dr. Lehr was very helpful with my first purchase. I only knew that I wanted a tiger striped form and a pink flowering form. He picked these two out and shipped them out right away, so that I would receive them before the weekend. Super fast shipping and amazing customer service.

Both plants arrived in good condition but the packing was not quite up to Andy's Orchids or Oak Hill Gardens amazing packing techniques. There was a lot of wiggle room in the box. But neither orchid was damaged in transit, so that worked out just fine. The leaves were protected with packing material and the moss ball probably helped protect the plants as well. Both were potted in plastic, egg shaped pots that also provided extra protection for the roots. These pots are really great, providing lots of air circulation to the roots!

He included, along with the orchids, a really lovely indigo fabric piece called an Awa Ai. I believe that it's an example of the indigo trade, intended to help preserve the love and history of making products out of raw indigo materials. That history is now considered a cultural treasure. But I don't know much about it, so will have to do research. . .no doubt the whole point. Two points for Dr. Lehr!!! :rofl:

Here's what Dr. Lehr sent me per my request for a pink blooming Neo and a Tiger Strip Neo:

Shojou: 3 growths that bloomed last year, with nice red markings on the leaves. This one should have "white flowers with pink tips, a little pink spur and peduncle."

Kinrokaku: 5 growths. "Tiger Stripe type, nice golden yellow markings.

Standard White: In the picture, there is a third Neo. that is the one I got from an Ebay seller, for comparison. It's a standard white blooming type with solid green leaves but a very nice one.

**I am wondering if NWO would have enough Neo orchids for all the group members in the US, if it were to be the winning orchid. . .will email him to see what he has in his greenhouse and if he would be interested in offering a slightly discounted group pricing. :hmm

Photo Details:

Shojou

Wow, I really like the Kinrokaku and great job potting those. New World Orchids was at the MOS show but I dont think they had any Tiger stripe type but they did have the variegated types and they were too much money for me but I did get a small one 'chosentetsu aojiko' its about 1 1/2" tall with 7 growths.

Photo Details:

Kinrokaku

Really, really nice, Gwen! That yellow variegation is stunning! And I really like the red leaves. Very nice 'choices' - I think you did really well!

I can't wait to figure out what I'm going to get!

So, the question is... where's the pic of the Awa Ai??

:shock: What cuties! :clap:
WOW! Look at those bulging balls :yikes:
Those guys sure know how to 'mound' :nod:
:coverlaugh:

Hiya,

This is the way that New World Orchids pots their Neos. . .I think these all come from Japan.

Yes, they're really expensive for me too. . .both plants and shipping was $100.

Running to go check out the Chosentetsu Aoliko! Hey, seven growth is BIG when you figure the price per growth! *ACK* I had to go small. lol

Btw, they also use a fancy string to secure the moss ball. . .the string looks like moss and really blends in but it has a bit of green so I found it. lol

I knew you were going to say that. . .be right back.

:evil:

Photo of the Awa Ai

This is about three feet long, two feet wide.

This is what my paperwork from NWO says on the subject. . .no author attributed.

"History of Awa Ai

The origin of Awa Ai is still uncertain. One explanation is that Lord hachisuka Iemasa introduced indigo to Awa no Kuni (Tokushima) in 1585, but other evidence suggests that indigo was already an important source of revenue in the Muromachi Period (1378-1573 a.d.). By the Edo Period (1603-1867 a.d.), Awa Ai was extremely profitable and under the protection and control of fiefs (han).

In 1903 (36th year of the Meiji Period), the production area of indigo in Tokushima reached an all time hight of 15,000 hectares (1 hectare=2.471 acres). However, by 1966 (41st year of the Showa Period) chemical dyes had dramatically reduced the production areas to 4 hectares. I recent years, concern for Awa Ai has increased and efforts are being made to preserve and protect this important cultural treasure."

And

" Raw Indigo Dye (Sukumo)

The raw materials used to make Awa Ai come from the leaves of the 'Tade" indigo plant. The leaves are harvested, dried and allowed to ferment. This substance which contains raw fermented dye material is called 'sukumo' and is used to produce various indigo products.

'Sukumo' is made by placing dried indigo leaves in a fermentation bed and spraying them with water between 15 to 20 times. After 5 to 7 days, this process is repeated. After about 3 months of repeated spraying and fermentation, a solid mass with a dark brown color appears. This substance, called 'sukumo', will later be used to make Awa Ai."

She said "bulging balls". . .:rofl:

Gwen....you lucky little.....:) You make me want to run out and buy more...lol. The one with the red in the leaves....is this due to high lighting or does it grow natural this way?

Actually, I think the ones you got from icepengwyn were bigger and better looking!

But I do love these. . .the red leaves is just the way it grows and is not due to high lighting.

The yellow leafed version is quite golden yellow and I really don't see any tiger stripe to speak of, the coloration is more of a blend. . .but we'll see. I think I would prefer a crisper tiger stripe but think this one is a beauty. Yellow leaves, such as the hue of these, would normally cause me to become alarmed for the plant's health. . .but I keep reminding myself, this is the way they are supposed to look but we'll see if they don't become a little more robust and quit that little black spotting. I hate that, you know. :evil:

Very pretty cloth! It would make a really nice display to put under your Neos when they flower. I have a book on indigo dye fabrics... I'll have to look up what they say (if anything) about Japanese indigo.

Gwen that indigo fabric is beautiful!

Hiya Becca and Shakkai. . .it is really beautiful and the indigo hue is gorgeous. . .soft and elegant.

And yes, I was thinking display platform! lolol

I love these Neos so well, I've written to Dr. Lehr to see if he might have enough for our group project should it be the winnah this time. . .not that I am trying to throw the votes. . .*evil laughter*

I looked high and low and do not see any info on the Chosentetsu aojiko! What color are the blooms? Could you post pics? :bowing I would love to see what you picked out!

Gasp! That would be so cool! We would have to all order the same one...I wonder if they would be a little over some of our budgets price wise for the project plant? I know I paid more then what you paid for my two including the shipping...the most I have ever paid for orchids before...I felt bad afterwards because I really should have just saved my money...lol...but it was soooo worth it!

Hey!!:idea:

If a couple of other people would be interested, why don't we do an OB Neo mini-project?

Just imagine all of the fun we'd have selecting the one that we all wanted to get?! Of course, I've got to wait until June to get mine, but I'd be happy to order one more for them to bring over!

IF he has 25-30 of the same type, in near blooming size. . .but maybe fewer if we did just an Neo Project per Shakkai's GREAT idea!

I thought about the price being too high, for pretty much all of us, including me.

I am hoping he'll have mercy on us with a discount. Maybe we could get seedlings and pot our own or something. ROFLOLOL

You're a genius! I would absolutely for sure join a mini Neo project! :biggrin:

How many people would be interested to join a mini project with a Neo?
If we knew that we could take that info to Dr. Lehr to see what he has and if he would be interested in being plant lead provider on this one.

Gwen, this could even tie in nicely with your idea of a potting/display project? What do you think? I've got a great raku bowl! I know, its not the 'normal' Neo pot, but... I think it would look great if we got one of the real mini ones!

HOLY JUMPIN CATFISHES! We could tie the two together. . .OMG, raku!!!! that would look so great!

Here is a link for everyone to drool over! I don't know how I possibly missed this when I was on New World Orchids Website:

pots

I didn't miss it! I absolutely love Neofinetia pots.

So, maybe we could choose the same Neo, pot it how we want, then post photos of the end display and let members here vote for the winner? What do you think?

(I'd even be willing to offer a prize from NWO to encourage people to join in! I'm sure I could arrange that when I arrange my order....)

Marty? Is this something that we can do? Sue?

My thoughts exactly. . .same orchid, potted/displayed differently, post photos. . .hopefully good enough to enter for the calendar for OB profit.

I hadn't even thought about voting on a winner! I'd be happy just to play the growing game. That is such an amazing and generous offer of a prize! Now that ought to raise some interest in the Neo! :rofl:

Maybe if enough people are interested and Dr. Lehr would agree, all the mini project joiners could pay a little extra and pay for the prize orchid.

Marty, Sue. . .did we mention we LOVE Neofinetias? :bowing

I have mine mounted and hanging in my orchiarium right under the lights (1500-1850 FCs) and is lovin' it.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...lcata_2633.jpg

Don't think I would want to try growing anywhere else since they seems to want pretty bright light and moderate humidity. For me that is not possible outside the tank, so I wouldn't be interested in a pot. I would be interested in growing another type of Neo, but not under the terms you are discussing. Just to let you know, if curious. :)

Ross, I don't think that the 'display' of it has to be potted - though that is certainly one option, and probably the one that I personally prefer. But I definitely wouldn't want to rule out anyone wanting to grow it mounted!

OK. I would be in, if I were able to grow in my tank.

Cool!! I think we may just have the makings of a mini-project! :D

I think that since at least half the fun of Neofinetia is the plant itself and not just the flowers, the idea of a project on how it is grown and displayed makes a lot of sense. In any case, we'll be growing for blooms with the other project plant. What does everyone think?

I guess we need to decide on just what we're going to try to do. Then see how many people want in on it. Then we can start looking through the list and trying to decide on one.

An idea. In the past, projects have been tolerant on various growing technques. Why not allow a couple well-thought-out techniques as options for one of the Neos? For instance, if a group selected a certain Neo from one grower and all came the same way (perhaps potted Japanese style) and someone wanted to redo their plant on a mount, would that be OK?

I'd say 'most certainly okay' - and would make the project all the more interesting as far as I'm concerned!

You know me...I'm in for anything! ...but...let's see how the Neo fares in the current project first.

After that, I'm game for whatever you guys and gals want to do (/udb)

I would definately be interested in your mini project! :biggrin: I'm not sure how I would do in the display/potting part since I'm artisticly challenged but I really want a Neo! If I'm part of a project that involves one that means that i can lean on you guys for support! :) Then again, you may not want me as a participant since I will probably be annoying with all the questions. :coverlaugh:

Never happen! You need to ask questions to learn...and that's what the projects...and OB...are all about ;)

Sarah!! We're all here to learn - and no one ever knows everything, so its good to have someone asking loads of questions, as it means we all tend to find more things to learn!

We'd LOVE to have you join in!

:cheer: :cheer: :cheer: Three cheers for Sue!!