Why do you grow Neofinetia falcata?

[DelawareJim]

Originally Posted by gmdiaz

I am so laughing. . .a hundred dollar Halloween pumpkin display stand. . .SWEET!

And Halloween is only a few days away!

Hey, isn't that what overnight shipping is for? It'll be just like Christmas. $20 for the nephew's Lego set and $45 to get it there by Christmas. It's the American way!

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by gmdiaz

I am so laughing. . .a hundred dollar Halloween pumpkin display stand. . .SWEET!

And Halloween is only a few days away!

well, you can import a Hokkaido Pumkin from Japan, let it be sent with DHL, and then you will have the most expensive halloween pumkin , to be set on top ofthe most wonderful Halloween pumpkin display!! And if yot let DHL, make a stop in Basel first, I promise I will carve it for you

[shakkai]

I just realised that I never responded to this thread - what an oversight!!

I loved reading Gwen's story about how we both got into Neos. My excuse is that it is all Gwen's fault!! Thank you Gwen!!

I had one Neo that I had happily been growing ignorant to the fact that this whole Neo world existed. At the time, it was just another nice miniature species orchid that like the conditions I could give it in my home on the window sill.

It wasn't until my eyes were opened to the vast variety of Neos that I really got 'hooked'!! I am still in awe of the many different varieties, and of the Japanese for recognising and nurturing all of the different variations.

So, why do I love Neofinetias?

The three things that I especially liked (and what really 'clicked' with me to make these my favourite amongst orchids) were:

1) Each plant is an individual, grown and appreciated for its own individual character. I really like that each individual plant is seen as something very special.

2) The fact that they can be appreciated all year 'round, and not just when they are in flower. I love the variegated leaf ones - probably even more than the coloured flower ones. And the differences in leaf shape also fascinates me. Enjoying them each and every day - not just when they are in bloom, or doing something special - is a big part of their appeal to me.

3) Lastly, the culture that has developed around them. In general, with the whole traditional potting and the idea that how they are displayed is just as important as how they are grown; as well as specifically with how things developed here on OB, and the many friends that I have met and friendships solidified because of the work on the mini project - this just gives them so much added meaning for me.

Is that a long enough explanation? LOL!

What is my favourite in my collection?

Impossible to answer! It could be Fugaku, as the one I have has really, really nice variegation. Or it could be Kinkosei, because there really is nothing like it I have seen before. But I think I will have to answer Tenkei because it has the most breathtaking variegation of all.

No holds barred. . .which one do I really really really want, even though I'll never be able to afford it?

I think I would have to agree with Gwen (not surprisingly!) and say a variegated mini bean leaf.

[LinhT]

Took the words right outta my mouth, Shannan Hooray for neos!

[weiss]

Here is a Kinku Jaku, a variegated bean leaf in flower back in 2004. It's not a very good photo, I'll get a better one later on.

[TheEndPhase]

Well, for starters, I'd say I like neos because you can't really go wrong by getting one because they've got it all. All of the reasons I'll get into plus they're fragrant, beautiful, and relatively adaptable. A complete package.

As for me, it was the first orchid I ever had, so I learned how to care for orchids by messing up on my neo, which, luckily, was very forgiving in addition being rewarding. It's special to me because it's been a first stepping-stone for me in that regard.

Another thing about it is the historical significance. I initially chose it because it was tiny and I was taking it to college with me, so I wanted something that would stay tiny. I picked the one orchid out of thousands I had to choose from with a story behind it, which made it seem extra special to me when I got home and learned all of this by trying to research how to care for the thing. Little did I know it was something that had been of such cultural importance for such a long time.

It's unique as well. I've probably gotten into orchids like I have because they're unique. The challenge and certainly the beauty of the things contributes, but their ability to stand out from other plants is, well, what makes them a separate hobby... or, for some, an obsession. The fact that they stand out in the orchid world underlines how, specifically, neos are extra unique. Bajillions of Dendrobiums and Paphs., for instance, but just one neo.

So all of that adds up to me being completely alright with defending my neo when my younger, wanna-be-rock-star brother says I'm a nerd. It just makes me wish sometimes that it was sunnier in Ohio.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I was introduced to Neofinetias through the intergeneric cross Neostylis 'Lou Sneary'. At the time when I started growing orchids, it was easy to grow. As soon as I got them, they produced two spikes and the blue and white were beautiful. I also liked the fragrance.

As I got into species, I found out about Neofinetia falcata and got my first one about 5 years ago. After three tries, I got it with the third. Not too long after I had purchased the Neofinetia, it bloomed. The one I own is white, with the spur tip being purple and green. The leaves are also dark colored.

[bklorchids]

just discovered this great thread!
i first grew a regular neofinetia nearly 40 years ago--and have started again, starting with tamakongo, shoutenno (sp), and others...

here are my reasons for liking:

exquisite fragrance
aesthetic appeal
part of a venerable tradition of orchid cultivation that's connected to history, arts, poetry....
easy to grow

[LinhT]

Thankyou to all who posted new replies to this thread It's interesting to find out why others grow these things.

Originally Posted by bklorchids

just discovered this great thread!
i first grew a regular neofinetia nearly 40 years ago--and have started again, starting with tamakongo, shoutenno (sp), and others...

Wow, your 40 year old neo must be enormous.

[bklorchids]

unfortunately it's long gone..had it when i was a kid...did well indoors my mother really took care of it.