Fuukiran Database

[ramp]

Hi all,

I was reading up on Fuukiran here. And there's a lot of info on the different variety's to be found here. Unfortunately a lot of this info is shattered along different treats.
Would it be an idea to compile all this info into a separate database?
What do you think?

Marc

[dries666]

sounds like a great idea, but I think lots of people already tried to pour it into an easy to access database of different variegations and growing conditions, successes, ... but I think most of these posts have died out lately :s

[MattWoelfsen]

As Driess stated, there have been many attempts to consolidate Neo-data--much information was put together earlier. You can see these as stickies. Once in a while, some one like Quay updates one of the stickies. I try to do the same. I would encourage you to add information on your experience with these plants.

[ramp]

I understand what Dries & you Matt said.
The stickies are very interesting but all contain partial info on the variety's.
What I"m trying to do is compile all this info into a database for future reference.
Something like this: http://www.toekie-world.be/FUUKIRAN-LIST.xls
In time I would like to make it available to everyone, put in a different form for easy access and together we could complete and discuss it. This way we finally could get some reference in a language we all understand as I don't read Kanji and neighter do most of us I think. I'm going to try and participate a little more in the future, since I practically only have Japanese orchids at the moment, due to circumstances.
Will also try to make some pictures too.

And Matt, Satomi has confirmed sending me te catalog so it should arrive sometime next week.

[MattWoelfsen]

That is super Marc. I'm glad you were able to connect with Satomi. I support your efforts in putting together a database of our beloved plants. It would be great to find information on each particular plant as detailed as possible. Even as specific as how we should grow a particular plant through all seasons. Your spreadsheet is very similar to one I have developed to keep track of the plants I own. You have information I don't have and vice versa. Maybe we can all share our information?

Every once in awhile, we do get someone who reads, writes, and speaks Japanese. But they don't seem to last very long. Or they loose interest.

[ramp]

Thanks Matt. All info would be welcome. If anyone would share it's info, it would make my work a lot easier and it would go so much quicker. Also the info on growth and care would be in everyone's interest.
I would appreciate it when someone has suggestions on more items to be included into the database.
All who would like to help can always mail me.
I'm currently working on a list of over 500 variety's but can't find all the info on my own.

[MattWoelfsen]

Here is information I have on
Amami Hiroba
奄美広葉
Broad Leaf--I hesitate to provide the English translation, as I did not consult a Japanese person. I used a couple of translators.

Hime-Manjushage. I have seen translations as "seedling white crane". This appellation is put on seedlings from the parent plant, Manjushage as a potential Manjushage--once the plant blooms and displays the three spurs that distinguishes Manjushage. I have seen translations of "Manjushage" as "white crane" or "flying crane". In Neofinetia shows, Manjushage are displayed in pots depicting flying white cranes.

Here is how Seed Engei describes Hime-manjushage: "If bloom with triple spur, great!! If not, regular Amami, MANJUSHAGE is flower variety of Amami furan (Neo from Amami island in Japan, grow larger than normal and bloom late). Manjushage will have three spurs instead of one. Because of the gene of Amami, Manjushage's flower is large and appreciable to see. Very popular variety and dealt in high price for long time. In addition to special flower, this plant produce most popular roots color, ruby roots! Very desirable"

Awaharibeni 淡針紅 Thin Crimson Needle-->this is my translation based on Internet and translation apps AND how Seed Engei describes this plant: "AWAHARIBENI is solid base variety but also is group of flower variety. It is very unique foliage called needle leaf (upright and very narrow) and also the flowers are pink. It is not going to be very dark but light pink. When it grow to big clump, they are so appreciable. As you know, Fuukiran which has more than two features are always appreciated."

I think part of the challenge of translating Japanese names into English is very challenging and prone to mistakes since I do not read or write Japanese. Some of these plants were named many years ago and use ancient or classic Japanese words. While newer plants are simply named for their habit or presentation. For example, "Kibana" plants are named Kibana because their flower is yellow. In some descriptions I have read, a plant is not named "Kibana" until it actually blooms--just like Manjushage. If a Hime-Manjushage blooms with three spur flowers, then, I suppose, "Hime" is dropped and I would call it Manjushage.

And then there are the special Neofinetia who start out as one variety and then morphs into something else. At that point I would refer you to the sticky that "Call-Me-Bob" started. Ironically "Call-Me-Bob" is now known as "Quay".

[MattWoelfsen]

Here is another bit of information:

Kuroshinju 黒真珠 Black Pearl (not Jade) "Black Pearl" translation comes from Seed Engei: "KUROSHINJU is smallest variety in Mame-ba (bean leaf variety) and very popular. KUROSHINJU means "black pearl" in English. Their foliages are very tiny and adorable and so is their flower. Flowers bloom upward and are very thick. Because of the thick dark green foliage and tiny cute flower, they have kept their popularity. It is great variety that is grouped in bean leaf variety and also flower variety."

Marc, I hope the preceding comments give you a small inkling of the daunting task you are proposing. I think it is a worth while pursuit. I built my Neofinetia database/spreadsheet based in ownership as opposed to collecting various names. There is another member here named s.kallima who also has a similar database as you have proposed. I hope he sees this thread and will comment. He also has a database on the Internet.

[rangiku]

Maybe making it a Google doc spreadsheet would be useful. People here could pm you their email addresses if they wanted to be able to edit or add info.

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by rangiku

Maybe making it a Google doc spreadsheet would be useful. People here could pm you their email addresses if they wanted to be able to edit or add info.

That is a great idea Adrienne. Marc, s.kallima would sometimes post a link to a Russian website with pictures and comments. I tried looking for that link but was unsuccessful. The Russian website has many different kinds of Neofinetia that for some reason don't seem to be available here in the USofA.