Acquiring Neofinetias Via EBay

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by s.kallima

All the white tiger as well as white fukurin prefer lower light levels to keep the white. My JITSUGEKKOU was almost all green after the winter (it had stronger light ) and reacted in a few weeks to light decrease. It is now showing a lot of white! Setsuzan also gets much nicer in a shady spot.

That's very helpful information. Are you saying that the greened leaves regained their whiteness after you reduced the light, or was it just newer leaves came in whiter?

Also, am I correct that, contrary to whitish variegation, yellow variegation is better maintained with higher light?

[s.kallima]

Yes you are correct on both points!

[jeremiah.chua]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

Red Orchid, I think Neos have always been popular but if I am any example--in the past two months I have collected so many Neos, that I think I've driven up the price of these eBay auctions. I haven't won any because I just cannot pay $60 for a small plant. So I get out bidded. If I hadn't been bidding, I think many of these plants would be priced for around the initial asking price. I 'analyzed' the successful bids in the last auction from 07/01 and saw that the plants that had higher bids were driven higher by the number of people bidding, but there were four or five plants that had only one bidder and they got their bid close to the starting price.

There is a new round of auctions from Seed Engei starting on July 4th. They have many plants starting at around $25.00. That is an affordable price to me. But then there is a plant called "Manjushage" with a starting price of $99.99. I do not know why Seed Engei would ask for this price, particularly being described as "single growth with one baby, confirmed Manjushage, already producing triple spurs!" So far, there is not a bid for this plant. Why?

It is true, the new surge of neo fans that we've received in the last two months or so has driven prices up. I'm both sad and happy about this aspect. Happy because more people are getting into neos. But sad because prices are going up from people trying to snag plants, left and right because of the initial hype. I'm going to wait till the hype dies down and people start getting bored or whatnot, with neos. Then I'll probably have a fighting chance again in bid wars on eBay.

Manjushage is one type that will retain its value for a long time. Mainly because seedlings of this variant, at this point, is not 100% guaranteed to bloom triple spurred plants. Some will, others won't. And even those who take a chance and purchase an unconfirmed seedling STILL pay a high price that could ultimately just end up being regular Amami Furan. I believe market rate for a Manjushage seedling is about 40-60% of confirmed Manjushage. I bit the bullet and paid $120 for my three growth plant back in February from Seed-Engei and the POE. I'm a bit surprised the price went up so much recently! Perhaps it's due to the fact that it's blooming season right now(?).
All, if not most, triple spurred plants will retain their value. Beni and Hanakanzashi are also available in seedling form but not all will bloom true with three spurs. Some will turn into a regular Shutennou, yet you will still pay big $$$ for that chance.

I'm kinda hoping the Neo craze we have going on right now dies down. I want to pay reasonable and affordable prices for Neos that I want already :P

[coffeecup]

$120 for a 3 growth Manjushage is a steal! I honestly think buying at a show or via email, just not eBay, is the way to go when purchasing Neos. The down side of this is buying via email from Seed Engei is difficult since Satomi isn't always in the U.S.

*cough* Speaking of selling Neos, I have a couple if anyone is interested. Just PM me for the list. I am also up for trades if possible. *COUGH* *Bob and your equestris keiki* *COUGH*

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by jeremiah.chua

It is true, the new surge of neo fans that we've received in the last two months or so has driven prices up. I'm both sad and happy about this aspect. Happy because more people are getting into neos. But sad because prices are going up from people trying to snag plants, left and right because of the initial hype. I'm going to wait till the hype dies down and people start getting bored or whatnot, with neos. Then I'll probably have a fighting chance again in bid wars on eBay.

Interesting. Is there really a significant surge of Neo collectors though and to what would you attribute it?

On this board, I know of just 3 people who have only begun collecting them in recent months: me, Matt and Paph-Neo Nut. Any others?

I wonder how many Neo people there are in the US. Really probably the only people who can easily estimate a figure are the dealers who sell to us.

[AnonYMouse]

Although I've not won a Neo auction yet, I contributed a bit to the rise in bids.

I got my first Neo last September so not so long ago.

[Red Orchid]

Originally Posted by Jayfar

Interesting. Is there really a significant surge of Neo collectors though and to what would you attribute it?

On this board, I know of just 3 people who have only begun collecting them in recent months: me, Matt and Paph-Neo Nut. Any others?

I wonder how many Neo people there are in the US. Really probably the only people who can easily estimate a figure are the dealers who sell to us.

Perhaps there is more discussion about the at local societies. I purchased my first Neo about 3 years ago. I read up on the history, met Jason at a symposium and found that they do well at my essential window sill growth area. The orchid boards also helps
Real fulfillment

Imagine that what you seek is already yours. Because it is.

What you authentically seek is already yours to envision, to express and to fulfill. What you seek is connected to you, and your task is to follow that connection.

Your sincere, honest desire begins the process of fulfillment. Follow that desire, stay on the path, and you create that fulfillment.

At the core of your being, at the center of your essence, nothing can stop you from being the way you choose to be. Real fulfillment is yours when you allow yourself to live it.

What you seek, what will fulfill you, is there all the time. Live your life in such a way that you allow it to fill your experience and your world.

You don’t have to beg or wish or steal or strive for what you seek. With your thoughts, your words, your actions and your priorities, let it be, and it will be yours.the orchid boards also help to develop the interest. Nothing at all is wrong with it except I am not going to pay too much for them on eBay.

[Pilot]

I've definitely helped drive up the prices, and why not? Perceived value is an elusive thing and what one person says "isn't worth it" to another is "a steal!" Perspective is everything and sure there have been plenty of auctions I did not win but like many here, I also research to see where I should stop at my bid and will stick to that unless there is plant that is exceptionally unique. I bought a plant off ebay recently that many here said wasn't worth it but to me, it was, and possibly worth even more. Of course, bid wars are never good-- meaning people are bidding against each other just to win-- but good for Satomi! In the each person needs to choose where they're comfortable for their level of skill, level of commitment and finances.

I won't stop looking (heck, I'm always looking), but if I can trade with another chid-keeper, or buy from Glenn or Satomi, whether over the phone or ebay, so be it. These plants are worth what they are-- if they bring joy to the one keeping it, price is usually soon forgotten.

[rangiku]

And, please put me on the eventual waiting list for a fan of that one, Ryan. Worth every penny of what you paid x 2 or 3.

[MattWoelfsen]

The MANJUSHAGE 曼珠沙華 is still a no bid situation on eBay. So who is going to bite the bullet and claim this plant? Come on people, there are Neofinetia Falcatas available....take a little time from grilling that hot dog, and bid.

The ASAHIDEN 朝日殿 has 12 bids and it has only 3 bidders slowly raising the price up to $35 from starting price of $18. B***B is the highest bidder. Shows only 1 star for that bidder. I hope s/he wins.

The HIGASHIDEMIYAKO 東出都 has 24 bids with 3 bidders. B***B was high bidder but D****R outbid by $1.00.

The other plants available have only one or two bidders and are not much more than the asking price. I guess this is not a good day to auction anything as precious as Neofinetias. Neo fireworks NOT!

SHISHIOU-NISHIKI 獅子王錦 and TENSHIN-天心 still no bid.