My Neofinetia collection
 

These are some varieties I have in my Neofinetia collection. I don't have a Winter greenhouse (and no Summer greenhouse till a few weeks ago) so I like experimenting with them to see what conditions in the home give me optimum "bloomage" while still keeping the foliage in good condition and getting the best variegation.

Last Summer I grew them in heavier shade outside. Winter, they were in very low light but temps were still kept at low 50's - mid 60's. This growing season I still got more spikes on the non variegated ones with each mature growth. Most of the variegated ones did not have more spikes. Overall, less buds per spike for all plants. However, variegation on the cream or white varieties look better. Not all my varieties are "blooming types". Most of the ones here that do not have any flowers/ spikes, require higher light to bloom. Since they were growing in lower light last season, I got no blooms this year :( Shachikouryu is the exception...seems to bloom when it feels like it.

Since there are more neo newbies now, this thread may be helpful. It shows a few of the different types of variegation and foliage shapes/ textures. The world of Neofinetia falcata is so vast. They are loved not only for the variegation/ leaf shape/ texture but also for the tsuke shape and root tip colors.
So let's start with some variegated ones....
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5111/7...7bd21f901c.jpg
Yukiarare by LinhT, Yukiarare has very subtle light green tiger variegation on the margin of the leaf (no distinct line)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7277/7...8229b3c35b.jpg
Mumeibotangei by LinhT, Mumeibotangei has thin mixed bands of green and light green.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7134/7...0d811af3ff.jpg
Fugaku by LinhT, Fugaku has what is called "spread' pattern (combo of thick and thin lines of different shades). The variety called Aojiku Fugaku simply means it has a green axis instead of mud brown like a regular Fugaku.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8158/7...e94c2421e1.jpg
Oborozuki by LinhT, The nicer plants of Akebono are given a different name, Oborozuki.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5071/7...6dcfa2a5ca.jpg
Akebono by LinhT, Most Akebono plants have more full green leaves than this. With this variety, it's a good idea to see a photo of the plant before you buy.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7140/7...0dc9e630f8.jpg
Kinkounishiki by LinhT, Variegation on Kinkounishiki is not as stable as those very high priced shima varieties. So more green may show up if the light levels are lower. The more yellow there is, the more slower growing the plant will be.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8145/7...b5a28fd530.jpg
Kansetsu by LinhT, Kansetsu is one of the varieties with the true white bands (not cream). Hard to keep this variety blemish free as it burns very easily. This variety is supposedly a good bloomer but my particular plant puts out a bright magenta spike each year with a few to no buds. More to come later.
Neo newbies, if there are questions...ask and don't be shy.

Those are just gorgeous, Linh. The 2 babies you sent me are still hanging in there!!!

A great new thread is born :biggrin:

Just beautiful collection thanks for sharing. :)

Thanks!

Jonada, I saw your thread on that shade house you built. As long as you have good humidity in there and the temps are warm, not hot, they should do ok. It's harder to keep the really small divisions going for neos. But with greenhouse - like conditions, it will help a lot.

Such great pictures!!!! In a month or so I hope to be able to start my own Neo collection!!!

Great thread Tracy. You have some gorgeous plants there.

Cheers.
Jim

Thank you for starting this thread (wonderful pictures!). I have been bitten by the neo bug and have added a few of these cuties to my collection. Any information is very much appreciated, thanks again. :)

Yes a BIG :thankyou: Wonderful Idea Tracy.

Great Photos, that includes the ones on your flicker page! Thanks for explaining more about the world of Neos :)