losing variegation on neo?

[Call_Me_Bob]

hi! so i got a variegated N. falcata 'SetsuZan', its a tiger stripe variety. recently ive been noticing that there isnt any variegation anymore. i can fine 1 spot with variegation, and the new leaves have no variegation, any ideas why this is?

[bispurious]

I believe yellow tiger stripe varieties like Setsuzan need brighter light to show their variegation. A white tiger stripe, on the other hand, will burn if you give it brighter light (like I just burnt the top leaf on my Houmeiden :/ )

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by bispurious

I believe yellow tiger stripe varieties like Setsuzan need brighter light to show their variegation. A white tiger stripe, on the other hand, will burn if you give it brighter light (like I just burnt the top leaf on my Houmeiden :/ )

interesting!! i have it right next to the windo wright now, so it can get a little cooler, but if i move it to the middle of my bench, it will get more light. ill try that.. thanks!! will the variegation come back on older leaves?

[bispurious]

I don't think it'll come back if it's been lost on an older leaf.

[Ray]

I agree with bispurious - light level.

As variegation removes areas of chlorophyll from the leaves, it stands to reason that the plant must have either adapted to grow well with a reduced rate photosynthetic activity - OR, more likely - tends to grow where the light level is high enough that it gets the proper amount of photosynthetic activity without the need for more chlorophyll.

However, in either case, when the light level gets to a point that the rate of photosynthesis restoring the food and energy stores of the plant is insufficient, it will produce more chlorophyll to compensate.

[bispurious]

Originally Posted by Call_Me_Bob

interesting!! i have it right next to the windo wright now, so it can get a little cooler, but if i move it to the middle of my bench, it will get more light.

Btw: Odds are your Setsuzan isn't growing right now, especially if you're keeping it cold during the winter. The variegation emerges as the leaf grows, so brighter light in spring/summer is what you really need to get this guy to show his stripes. However, bright light in winter will make the plant flower better too. Your yellow tiger stripes are definitely candidates for brighter positions year-round among your neos.

[Call_Me_Bob]

Believe it or not, it's in active growth. Put out 3 leaves fairly quickly and a few new roots. I expected it take a break but it didn't

[bispurious]

Originally Posted by Call_Me_Bob

Believe it or not, it's in active growth. Put out 3 leaves fairly quickly and a few new roots. I expected it take a break but it didn't

One of mine just started a root too, but I'm trying to encourage it to take its winter rest with less water. You can totally keep them growing through winter with a summer watering schedule (and even get them to flower under lights), but they won't flower as thickly in summer, and you'll lose a lot of the older parts of the root structure. It's easy for neos to recover from this root loss though.

[Leafmite]

Interesting. My house temps are cooler and most of my neos are definitely at rest. One, however, is putting out a new fan and roots. Should I get it a little face mask and a pillow?

[Paul Mc]

Interesting. Mine appears to be doing nothing. If I see roots starting, I'll sing it a lullaby. Wait, no... I dot want to scare it to death with my singing...