Nice collection! I'd like to get a neo or two, what's there care like, especially temperature? They a little cool growing? And could you explain to me about the variety names like Manjushage? They're different than clonal names right? You can either reply here or pm. Thanks!

Wow that's a lot to answer and they're all really good questions its just a lot. You'll find most of your answers on this alliance board but in general neos are a hardy bunch, capable of surviving all sorts of abuse. They can handle all types of humidity and hot and cold though not freezing of course. The names are variations of the species. They are often reflective of the qualities or characteristics they bear. For instance seikai means waves. Oonami or ounami seikai means big waves and if you look at the plants they have defined wave like foliage, one being bigger than the other.

Hope that helps.

Thanks! That helps a lot. So why on earth do neos get all these fancy names? And they aren't just fancy clonal names.....

I imagine it has to do with their history in that they were collected by the elite of Japan's class system. Why do we name cars the way we do? Or give objects names like iPhone or android? I suppose its all a psychological way of giving something more importance than it inherently has on its own. Many of the names given to neos are unique or significant to the prefecture in which they were originally cultivated.

I guess you can call them fancy clonal names. However, when it comes to Neofinetias, we need to see their variants in the way the Japanese culture sees them. Not as a clonal name but rather as a whole new plant carrying the Neofinetia name. Doing so will help you appreciate the beauty in each type and not see them as just another duplicate but with a slight variance. Although, I have to admit, some Neofinetias look like duplicates to me, except with different names.
IE: Benikanzashi/Hanakanzashi, pretty much the same but I think two different people named the mutation different names. Both are triple spurred red flowered Neofinetias.
Furthermore, not all names given to Neofinetias have any resemblance to the actual plant. Many names are given to these simply because it sounds cool (In Japanese, not in English). However, some names as Pilot mentioned, are given because A. it's cool and B. it does resemble the plant somehow, like Seikai. Then you name names like Seiryujishi, which when translated to English, is Blue Dragon Backbone Lion. I mean, really?

TLDR:
1. You can argue that these are mere clonal names. However, many of them are mutated variants so it's better to call them Neofinetia falcata var. (insert name here) rather than Neofinetia falcata '(insert awarded clonal name here).
2. Refer to Neos with their Japanese names, always. They weren't named to be translated into English and still sound nice.

Manjushage update. Besides the fact that this variant produces three spurs instead of one, I think another special trait it carries is that the spurs have an exaggerated curl, unlike other Neofinetia flowers.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5545/9...25c77e0e_z.jpg

Shutennou in full bloom. Only two flowers, but any flower is better than none. Especially when it's his first :blushing:
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2885/9...8dcfc473_z.jpg

Well done! Love the blooms and it looks like those buds will be pretty. I have an Asahiden that has buds that have exaggerated curls, too, but they are singles, not like this one. Sadly, this plant aborted three of the six blooms its grown-- not sure why. Maybe I let them get too dry??? No idea.

A little late, but I'll also add to this statement. When we were learning from Satomi at the Fukiran judging during the SEPOS show this year, she told us that if there is a new form of variegation/leaf-shape/flower-type/color or a new combination of them displayed by someone at one of the Japan Fukiran Society meetings, they give it a unique name for the new form. You could call it a clonal name, I guess, but I would prefer to call it a form, just as you have Phal bellina fma. alba; Fukiran are relatively "unstable" meaning that they can sometimes mutate forms from time to time over a period of years.


I cannot wait to see your Manjushage in bloom!!

My 'Nishidemiyako' is blooming!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7332/9...dc00f442_z.jpg

Manjushage pics will come soon. I'm expecting the flowers to open sometime this week :)

What a gorgeous plant. So healthy looking with 2 spikes. Congrats!!