A better clone of Fugaku (富嶽)

[papayj]

This is one of the better clone of Fugaku, purchased for mere sum of 5,000 KRW (about 4 USD) as a very young plant. There are literally tons of Fugaku clones lying around, but this is one turned out to be one of the better clone of the classical variety....with quite pronounced variegation. Some leaves show almost fukurin-like variegation.

[Shoreguy]

Great Fugaku!

I hope the Fukurin doesn't take over.

About 5 years ago, Seed Engei offered a superior sub variety of a Neof referred to as Fugaku Hou.

It's possible that your plant qualifies as a member of that sub variety.

[Shoreguy]

Papayj,

I have recently acquired a Neof. Fugaku Hou pictured above.

I am now positive yours qualifies as a Neof. Fugaku Hou and is superior to mine.

Yours is exceptional, not just a better Fugaku.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Shoreguy

Papayj,

I have recently acquired a Neof. Fugaku Hou pictured below.

I am now positive yours qualifies as a Neof. Fugaku Hou and is superior to mine.

Yours is exceptional, not just a better Fugaku.

What is the difference between a standard Fugaku and a Fugaku Hou? The intensity of the yellow variegation?

[Shoreguy]

Camille,

Above is my standard Aojiku Fugaku, quite different from Papayj's plant.

Fugaku Hou is characterized by wide amounts of yellow (not so much the intensity) and the occasional suffusion of green supplemented with some thin green stripes makes it a more interesting presentation.

Be sure to examine papayj's first picture. It says it all.

My plant pictured above doesn't really compare in visual interest although I consider it to be a good Fugaku.

[camille1585]

I have my Fugaku next to me and am comparing with papayje's photo, and I see what you mean!

Your photo didn't come through for some reason.

[Shoreguy]

My iPad was acting up. My picture is available now.

[camille1585]

I see it now, and his is indeed very different from the standard markings. My good Fugaku is somewhere between both of yours, at least to my non expert eye! My other Fugaku has reverted to solid green.

[Hakumin]

Originally Posted by camille1585

What is the difference between a standard Fugaku and a Fugaku Hou? The intensity of the yellow variegation?

The Korean association profile for Fugaku says, "A larger size and thicker leaves variation is called Dainagon; one with variegation that jumps out with a white luminosity called Fugaku-Hou, etc, there are enough varieties in the Fugaku family to create a Meikan of its own"

This Japanese profile for Fugaku-hou as well as this Japanese blog post corresponds with the Korean association profile in that it defines Fugaku-hou as having "whitish yellow chirifu-shima" variegation.

However, in some sales listings for Fugaku-hou in english, I have heard the definition that shoreguy is implying, saying that it is an individual that has stronger variegation. The problem I find with this definition is that I have seen plants simply labeled Fugaku that have brighter variegation, like Papayj's plant, but more importantly, I have seen plants labeled as Fugaku-hou that have had had equivalent amounts of variegation to a more typical fugaku like the one in the Japanese blogpost above.

In another sales listing in English, I've seen Fugaku-hou simply described as being a "Wider and bigger plant" And in yet another, it was apparently described as "Variegation will be very similar to Fugaku, but Fugaku-hou has more stripes and more curvy leaf shape than regular Fugaku."

I'll have to see what other sources I can find, but it seems to me that the Korean and Japanese online references are sparse but fairly consistent, while the english references are a bit scattered...for now, I'd say it'd be safer not to jump to conclusions, based on the limited information.

[Shoreguy]

This might be described as a white yellow luminosity vs the white luminosity referred to in the Korean account. Luminosity only comes thru slightly with inferior camera but in good light is visually clear.