Ootakamaru-shima
 

Found this gorgeous little bean (about 2-1/4" leafspan) on SE's July list and, after mulling it over thru the weekend, I ordered it and received it this morning. I'm lazy about staging and lighting plants for photos, so I'll just share SE's pics from Flickr here. Roll that beautiful bean footage:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3905/...be72faf8_b.jpg
ootakamarushima by Seed Engei, on Flickr

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5551/...cf55fae8_b.jpg
ootakamarushima2 by Seed Engei, on Flickr

ooooo, ahhhhhh....yes, I saw it too on the July list. I thought about it as well. Congratulations on this acquisition Jayfar. You are becoming our bean collector on the board! Let me modify that appellation: our <expensive> bean collector!

I saw it too. Beautiful little one!

You bank account err a Fukiran collection is growing.

Nice one! It is a good growing variety. My one has about 9 growths in 4 years from a 3 growther. Will send pics here soon

Yes, I had seen your earlier pic of it on your facebook and had revisited it just yesterday. That's a super nice one and I certainly look forward to seeing an updated picture.

https://www.facebook.com/51872053485...type=1&theater

:bowing

Satomi suggested that this is a slow grower, as I would expect with a variegated bean, but your experience seems to indicate otherwise (or maybe just ideal growing conditions and care).

Why don't I live in The US?
Love it JayFar

Hi Jayfar, I'm attaching updated pics of my Ootakarunoshima taken today. In terms of rate of growth, these larger beans grow a bit faster than the smaller beans like sekais, about 1.5 to 2 leaves a year. Once they start offshoots the plant seems to grow faster by virtue of the number of growths. Thus is the plant 2 years from the FB pics with 4 more new growths !!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/05/ebu8upu7.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/05/evu6uryn.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/05/5e9u2a5e.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/05/edebuzyd.jpg

As you can see it looks a lot larger now than in 2012....

Hope u all like this updated pics!

Awesome! I'd be afraid to think what that plant must be worth with the additional growths.

Do you have any specific cultural tips for Ootakamaru-shima?

Holy cow. That plant is DIVINE. :bowing

Thanks guys! It is one of my favourite plant! I'm humbled by the site of it's beauty too!

In terms of growing conditions, it gets the regular neo treatments. Nothing special other than the fact that the green growths at the back of plant faces the light.

In terms of what it's worth? It's priceless to me ... But estimate to be around $5-7K I think?