Visiting New World Orchids: 09/14/13

[MattWoelfsen]

After numerous emails, I have finally matched my schedule with the folks at NWO. I'm going to visit them this coming Saturday, 09/14/13. My primary reason for this visit is to learn more about Neofinetia and other Japanese orchids they proffer. In an email to Kristen, I told her that I would write up a set of questions so that they can be prepared to answer them. Then I thought I would ask you all if you had any questions you would like for me to ask them.

All of this is an effort to produce an article for my orchid society newsletter. But ultimately my goal is to develop more Neonuts in Fort Wayne--there are too many Phalpals and Phapmaniacs!! Here are my questions:

1. To Dr Glenn: how did you become a NeoNut?
2. What kind of Doctor are you?
3. What was the very first orchid plant you acquired?
4. Why are you in Manchester, MI and not in a larger city?
5. Do you read, write, and speak Japanese?
6. To Kristen: how did you become a NeoNut and how have you become involved with NWO?
7. There is a person named Alex on your website, who is he?
8. About the plants: where did the high mound idea come from?
9. Do you breed Neos?
10. Are there specific resources you acquire your plants from Japan?
11. How did you establish your relationship with them, was it by trial and error? Or just a function of getting to know them?
12. What are the steps you go through importing plants from Japan?

[WhiteRabbit]

Very cool!

[Jayfar]

I can answer one question. I believe he is a dentist.

But this is great. We'll look forward to your detailed report. See if you can encourage him to begin posting here again once in a while, as he did several years ago.

[slc]

With China becoming more "open", have there been any new orchid discoveries from there that have piqued the interest of Japanese Neo enthusiasts?

[Jayfar]

This is a lot more than one simple question, but in pages 5 thru 7 of the ebay thread we were discussing conflicting info and results regarding light levels (or other variables) to properly maintain white variegation. It would be good to get to the bottom of this. Pasting relevant posts below:

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.

Originally Posted by Call_Me_Bob

That's interesting because my Setsuzan had lost all its tiger striping ove rthe winter and once I moved it into higher light, it started producing striping!

Originally Posted by Jayfar

Hmmm, are you sure the winter light wasn't actually more intense, though of shorter daily duration. If it was in, for instance, a south-facing window, the lower angle of the sun during winter makes for more intense light than that same window in summer. Not saying that's what happened in your case, just hypothesizing...

Originally Posted by Pilot

I'm confused on this as well and made mention of it in another post (or maybe this one who knows!?) but it was never addressed. It probably got lost in the shuffle. Anyway, growing any tiger in high light will make the yellow less yellow and more towards white with higher light. This was the info i got from Dr Glenn. However, there are variegation types that supposedly is white and not tiger variegation. Perhaps this type is he type that will turn green?

It just doesn't add up. Variegation is enhanced in higher light as a result of increased activity. Or am I wrong in this? I have many non orchid plants that do this too and high light always turns them pale green in high light.

Originally Posted by Call_Me_Bob

Yep, I'm sure because it was under lights during the winter.



I'm beginning to get a little confused about the lighting of different types of variegation!

I was told by Satomi that my Setsuzan needed LESS light to make the tiger striping come out. I gave it less light, nothing happened; when I gave it MORE light, the variegation make out.

As far as variegation that is NOT tiger stripe, it is to my understanding that if the variegation is cream or yellow, more light will make the variegation come out stronger. But if the variegation is white, more light may burn the leaves, so keep the light lower. That's as far as I understand.

Originally Posted by Jayfar

I share your confusion. I wonder if there may be other factors that affect variegation in combination with light? Temperature and light? Intensity of light versus duration of light? Nutrients? Some non-linear relationship between several factors?

[MattWoelfsen]

I'll add this question to the list: Explain plant variegation and its stability or instability.

Please keep posting other concerns, at this rate, I'll just show NWO this post and discuss these questions from here!

[Pilot]

I'd like to know if Glenn et all has any input on the fragility (easy/readily die back/root burn) of sedirea roots of minmaru and similar sedirea. I realize for many they'll ask what the cultural conditions are, but in this case, they are moss mound planted and grown like neos.

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by Pilot

I'd like to know if Glenn et all has any input on the fragility (easy/readily die back/root burn) of sedirea roots of minmaru and similar sedirea. I realize for many they'll ask what the cultural conditions are, but in this case, they are moss mound planted and grown like neos.

I asked your question to Glenn, he knew who you were when I told him you were Ryan from Boulder, Colorado. Glenn had four Chabo left. Kristen stated it was hard to keep these little plants in stock, they are very popular plants. Glenn has never seen this plant in flower. His advise: give the plant plenty of fresh air, allow the plant to dry completely before watering. Sedirea are very hardy plants--not like their bigger cousins the hot house Phalaenopsis. Ironically, Glenn had rescued Phalaenopsis growing nearby under the same environmental conditions and they are thriving.

[Call_Me_Bob]

You didn't happen to get a chance to ask about the variegation/light questions did you? And where are the PICTURES!?

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by Call_Me_Bob

You didn't happen to get a chance to ask about the variegation/light questions did you? And where are the PICTURES!?

While we're waiting for Matt's reply there is this post in the ebay thread regarding Setsuzan:

Originally Posted by s.kallima

The tiger variegation becomes great on this form with alternative of bright light and shade every two weeks during growing season! I tried this technique this summer and my plant looks fantastic now!

And I also found this note with a Karanishiki on facebook:

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

Japanese Neofinetia Orchid
Karanishiki: This variety has been around quite a while. Looking at the Meikan charts from the 1880's, this variety has appeared on the popularity section for a long time. This is because it is one of the best yellow tigers, with strong yellow markings that make the plant look like it is bathing in sunshine! 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. In addition, the plant also has red roots and a red flower stem, contrasting beautifully with the yellow markings.
Unlike · · Share · May 17