Hime seikai growth rate and care
 

I have a little single growth hime seikai, and it must have 6-8 small curved leaves. I have seen it mentioned that this is a slow growing neo, is that correct? If it is, how much growth shoud I look for/expect each growing season/year? Is hoping for 2-4 leaves to emerge this spring/summer unlikely? Could it begin a new growth this year?

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One or two leaves if you are super lucky and give it good culture. Bad choice if you are interested in blooming it. I have had my Hime Seikai for 8 1/2 years and never bloomed it. Most growers you hear about who have bloomed it, purchased it from a commercial grower who initiated the spike. If your conditions are different from mine, you might have a small chance. I grow indoors under natural sunlight. I suspect that the most unfavorable aspect of my conditions are low winter humidity which might be the reason for never blooming it. Note plant shows good example of root training.

If you prefer small growing neos, tamakongo is a better choice for a beginning neofinetia grower, as it is easier to bloom than Hime Seikai (although not as easy as many larger neos) , is a strong grower and is not as costly.

Making mistakes in choice of plants purchased and growing decisions is guaranteed in this hobby so it’s best not to be discouraged as you will learn. Depending on what you are after, Hime Seikai could be a mistake or a good purchase. I’ve been at it for over 50 years and still make mistakes which are unavoidable.


Are you growing under natural sunlight or lights? Bark or bark mix or sphag?

Pay attention to your plant and see what it does. Hime seikai can be a bit of a slow grower, so enjoy each new leaf (and root) it produces. I have had one for a few years now and it has yet to bloom for me (same with my seikai which has around 10 growths), so I just enjoy the cute leaf pattern.

Best of luck with your plant!

Mine a while ago was not terribly slow, but slower than other bean leaf varieties. I have since sold it off in favor of Seikai though.

In regards to flowering, I find that Himeseikai, as well as Seikai and Jukai need a cooler, longer, more consistent winter rest than most varieties to reliably bloom.

Less light and even allowed to dry out completely or just cooler? During super storm Sandy my electricity was out for 11 days resulting in nighttime temperatures in the low fifties and daytime low sixties but no flowering. Most of my other neos really appreciated it with prodigious flowering the following Spring.

Winter rest does not mean dry out completely. Enough water to prevent dangerous levels of dehydration is still necessary.

11 days is not enough for this one. I find that mine need 2-3 months of regular nighttime lows in the high 40s, low 50s.

Not being sarcastic but do you use your refrigerator for this?

No. A standard fridge would be dangerously cold, but I've seen examples of people rigging up wine fridges with lights that could potentially work.

I once had a Masdevallia which I subjected to the refrigerator at night but neither did it initiate blooms nor did it damage the plant. Finally got rid of it because it was too much bother.

Warning: YMMV

Well... If those are the requirements for blooms... I will keep myself content enjoying the foliage... I grow outside with the coldest winter nights in the mid 50s (days in mid 60s)... and those are only occasional... It is a lovely plant and I have the space for it. :)

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