Culture Question on N Houmeiden
 

How do I get Houmeiden to display its main characteristic (in addition to ruby root tips which for me is easy to get) of white inner variegation on the top surface of the leaves?

I do get white on the reverse side near the base.

I know it is a cultural issue for me and not the particular clone's fault as I have purchased several displaying the desired white inner variegation which then fades and never returns nor do new leaves ever develop the inner varigation on the top surface.

I have not been able to figure this out for years and it’s been frustrating.

Bump.

I vaguely recall reading here variegation is better in lower light. Perhaps use Search | Advanced Search and search on Neofinetia Variegation.

Thanks.

I'll try reducing light on one of mine and see what happens.
I believe I tried this before but perhaps not sufficiently shaded.

The downside of doing that is probably the ruby root tips will be lost, becoming light pink.

It's worth a try.

In one of the Neofinetia facebook pages that I follow, someone shared a very informative table of lighting intensity for Fuukiran. Houmeiden is listed in the 'medium' light category.

A footnote states: "The medium light is about 50% shading, but more shading may be necessary in the summer".

As this table seems to be primarily for variegated plants, I would assume that the light levels are what will give optimal coloring. But I'm not certain about this. How bright are you growing the plant?

Camille

Thanks for your reply.

I don’t have a light meter. I consider that I grow on the high side of sunlight, probably higher than “medium” and considerably higher than the somewhat shady conditions that sometimes is stated for neos in general, something that I have never followed but have had success.

I will be cutting down the light on one of my 3 Houmeidens and see what develops.

I do not have this Neo but I do see that Orchid Web states low-medium light for it. As I understand Houmeiden leaves are only white on the new leaves and become completely green as they mature. I’ve seen it described as ephemeral.

I would try lower light.

My problem child Neo is Setsuzan, I may toss her into a dark closet!

I knew that the inner variation was just on the newer leaves and would fade. I am definitely going to try growing it shadier. If anything, my growing it has been high to medium light.

Concerning your Setsuzan, I had one years ago and got very good tiger variegation by growing it in good strong light. It might be a genetic issue with yours.

You have the years of experience, maybe just need to try less light. With multiple plants it should be fairly easy to try and compare. May take some time.

I’ve had my Setsuzan for just over a year and she had beautiful variegation when I received it. Purchased from Satomi and a large plant. I grow under lights and last fall I changed my bulbs from 5000k to 6500k to increase the light especially over the winter. She has little to no variegation now. I’ve even seen it suggested to alternate light for Setsuzan from shade to bright in 2 week intervals. I’m going to try less light for a bit. Or the closet.

Since it is not genetic, I strongly suggest more light than less based on my experience with Setsuzan. I get the impression that because you changed to brighter bulbs and then experienced fading, that you attributed it to having too much light. I believe both bulbs were insufficient and had you not changed the bulbs, the fading would have occurred sooner.

Do you have a sunny window which can be used?

I do have a sunny window I could try, probably better than a dark closet lol. I assumed the stronger bulb was my issue with this one. I also have Byakko which is said to be a version of Setsuzan? Byakko is growing under the same light and has beautiful variegation, always has had.

Do you recommend direct sun for Setsuzan? I could put her in a window of any direction though you grew yours in western exposure. I would love to see her as she was prior to this winter. Thanks for your advice, I’ll move her and see how she responds!

I hope your Houmeiden develops the variegation for you!