Acquiring Neofinetias Via EBay

[jeremiah.chua]

Originally Posted by Jayfar

By the way, for some more specimens to drool over, check out this facebook page I just found via the FSoA site:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Japan...18720534853007

They even have a photo spread of a sizable multi-growth specimen Ryokuho-no-shima a.k.a. Ryokusaiho (with very interesting notes accompanying each photo in the set).

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...4853007&type=1

I saw that page yesterday too. Whoever that guy/girl is, that person is $$$$$$$$$$$. So many of the plants featured there looks crazy expensive. Especially with the quality of the plants!

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by jeremiah.chua

I saw that page yesterday too. Whoever that guy/girl is, that person is $$$$$$$$$$$. So many of the plants featured there looks crazy expensive. Especially with the quality of the plants!

Yep, crazy expensive is exactly what I was thinking. Very humbling to see plants like some of those (although some featured on the FB page are noted as being others' plants that he or she photographed).

I hope I live long enough to see my Ryokusaihou grow into something like Leslie's. The picture spread for that was particularly interesting to me with the notes accompanying each picture in the set. Note that the last pic in that set is of the plant when it was purchased 2-1/2 years ago.

The FSoA site also shows Leslie's Toronto place on the grow areas photo page.

Growing Areas - Fukiran Society of America

EDIT to add:

This note about the Karanishiki is enlightening:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater

Excerpt:

In fact it is a tricky plant to grow to achieve the balance of yellowing tiger markings. It must be rotated in full sunshine and then shade (and repeat) to achieve the perfect look. This takes practice and a few seasons of growing experience. That is why a plant with great markings looks stunning, and greatly admired by seasoned neophiles, even in Japan.

[jeremiah.chua]

Yes, I read the karanishiki part too. My karanishiki doesn't have distinct yellow cream variegation. If anything, it is more of a lime color, as if the yellow is attempting to come through but doesn't fully occur. More info on how to grow karanishiki properly would be awesome :<

[brn_thmbs]

Looks like a fire sale. Many sets, will be 'interesting' to see where the bidding takes the prices.

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by brn_thmbs

Looks like a fire sale. Many sets, will be 'interesting' to see where the bidding takes the prices.

Yup! I'm going to take a rink side seat, anyone want popcorn? Normally the sets are Furan or Darwinara, but this time mixed a couple of different plants. This is a nice change. I also noticed that they are recommending quick payment due to being away for a week.

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by Jayfar

Yep, crazy expensive is exactly what I was thinking. Very humbling to see plants like some of those (although some featured on the FB page are noted as being others' plants that he or she photographed).

I hope I live long enough to see my Ryokusaihou grow into something like Leslie's.....

There is anecdotal evidence that the more expensive and slow growing the Neofinetia plant, the longer the life of the grower. So long live Jayfar!

Thanks for linking to that Facebook page. "Leslie" must have the life and lifestyle of the "rich and noble" as demonstrated by the lavish environment in which these plants thrive. Casual comments of attending various events in Japan further underscores such enviable living.

Whilst I, on the other hand, have suffered the death of one of my precious (albeit in-expensive) Amami Fuuran 奄美風蘭. It's passing is noted here for all to see, an obituary, if you will: Amami Fuuran 奄美風蘭, acquired from eBay vendor, arrived in Fort Wayne, Indiana on August 09, 2013 with a surviving set sister of lesser growth (but no less valued). This Amami Fuuran struggled a bit, when it was unwrapped it was very dry and fell out of its pot. The moss was desiccated underneath a layer of fresh moss. Immediate repotting occurred--unwrapped from moss revealed many dead roots. The plant was in special care. But alas, to no avail. Amami Fuuran 奄美風蘭 08/05/13 -- 09/12/13.

The happy sisters' photo shoot on chaise lounge:

[s.kallima]

Sorry for your loss Matt!
I find there has been a lot of "moss trouble" with SE plants lately, due to poor mounding of the plants.
Plants used to be mounded with a hollow dome, or the smallest with a packing peanut underneath the plant, but the ones from this summer were in a big ball of very tight moss (not hollow), and I made the mistake of not checking them as soon a I received them (so used to SE plants quality).
Some very nice plants (not inexpensive! Akogare, Koganezuru, Shishinden, Keshomaru) ended up in emergency care with no root and I am not sure I will bring them back to life
Make sure to unmound when you receive the plants people ! Lesson learned...

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by s.kallima

Sorry for your loss Matt!
I find there has been a lot of "moss trouble" with SE plants lately, due to poor mounding of the plants.
Plants used to be mounded with a hollow dome, or the smallest with a packing peanut underneath the plant, but the ones from this summer were in a big ball of very tight moss (not hollow), and I made the mistake of not checking them as soon a I received them (so used to SE plants quality).
Some very nice plants (not inexpensive! Akogare, Koganezuru, Shishinden, Keshomaru) ended up in emergency care with no root and I am not sure I will bring them back to life
Make sure to unmound when you receive the plants people ! Lesson learned...

Hmmm...

Very good advice.

I think I'm going to spend my next days off doing some remounding.

My Ryokusaihou from SE definitely has a nice big hollow space all the way to the bottom. The others I don't see a hole from the bottom though. Ditto my Orchids Ltd. plants - no hole visible from bottom. I did previously remound a couple SE plants that had older sphag and with those I did find the roots in very good shape. Those were in the smallest size pots and I can't recall that there was a packing peanut in them, but I'm thinking not.

It's probably to my advantage that I maintain constant air circulation on my Neo table. I have a small fan blowing across the table, plus the humidifier blowing upward lives right beside that table. All my pots dry pretty quickly, judging by weight and crispness of moss. I've needed to water most about every 3 days this summer, supplemented by misting.

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[MattWoelfsen]

Crossing my fingers, knocking on wood, lighting a special candle at church for long health, and asking a Shinto priest to hit the bell...I hope this is the only Neofinetia that I loose. All the rest look good. We should all look at our plants with a certain critical eye when they arrive, sometimes, trusted sources can fail to live up to expectations. No fault or blame, just being a better consumer.

[Joyorchid]

I am very sorry to hear about your lost neo, Matt. That is disappointing, but I know you still have lots to keep you company.