Bean Type

[stormzy]

Hi Everyone,
I am new to the world of neo's. Since I seen them on this board (before I registered), I have been captivated by them. My favorite type of leaves are the bean type. Also, I have learned about New World Orchids via this board and want to say thanks. I have just gotten a Onami Seikai and Seikai, they seem very healthy, was packed nicely on receiving them.

So, anyone have any tips on keeping them alive. Also, I would love to hear about your mistakes with your plants to maybe avoid them myself. Especially if you live in Massachusetts or the New England area in general.

[MattWoelfsen]

Welcome to the Neofinetia side, Stormzy! Starting your collection with Oonamiseikai 大波青海 and Seikai 青海 is a good thing. If I were to start over, I would begin with the Bean Leaf category too.

Bean leaf Neos seem to me to be the easiest Neo to grow.:
1. Water them completely, early in the day.
2. Put them in bright, in-direct light.
3. Give them plenty of humid, moving air.
4. Let them dry out completely before you water again.

This is a great time to get Neos--the weather is mild. Add a weak solution of fertilizer during this time of year.

Please post pictures of your new plants! Welcome!

[stormzy]

Thanks Matt!!

I will post pictures once, I figure out how. Right now, I water the little guys real early in the morning. Around 5:30 or when I wake up later, which would be 6:30.

Then I move them outside under a pine tree in the back yard. I live on a large hill and it is very rare not to have any wind, so they get good air. They seem to be drying faster then I anticipated with the moss. They completely dry out in 2 days. I am bringing them inside the house around 8pm. I been nervous because the temperature has been going into the 40's.

The other day I spotted some aphids on them. I quickly made a solution of water, soap, and alcohol and misted them. Seemed to work so far. There is a huge infestation of aphids in the yard this year. That and these little green caterpillars, that turn into a moth called a winter moth.

---------- Post added at 12:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:20 AM ----------

Here are the little guys, don't mind the pictures, I don't have the best camera.













Hope I don't kill them, I will need all the help come winter time, that is where, I have trouble.

[MattWoelfsen]

Beautiful photos of lovely plants! Thank you.

I think it is okay for them to dry quickly,. Although Neos are hardy below 50F, I would bring them in at night. Their spring growth could get a set back.

Winter seems to come too quickly, but as long as you give them good culture--I also feed them during the warmer days of late Spring , through Summer, and early Autumn.

You have plenty of room to add a couple more bean leafs! <S>.

[stormzy]

Thanks Matt,
I plan on getting a lot more plants in the future! Do you have any suggestions on, which bean leaf should be next? When would you stop the fertilizer? I do bring them in at night before it goes below 55. I am kinda nervous about leaving the plants outside 24/7 when temps are higher.

[MattWoelfsen]

Comparing your plants with other bean leafs, I recommend these plants. I have chosen these Neos, because they are relatively inexpensive., they are easy to grow, and they produce additional fans relatively quickly.:

Large Bean Leafs compared to Oonamiseikai 大波青海:
Tachitaiho 立大鵬
Tamakongou 玉金剛
Yodo-No-Matsu 淀の松

Small Bean Leafs compared to Seikai 青海:
Kuroshinju 黒真珠 (This is considered one of the smallest bean leafs and is the most expensive plant listed.)
Kasen 華泉
Isechabo 伊勢矮鶏

Once the overnight temperatures remain consistently above 55F, I will bring my plants out to their summer homes. Orchids seem to flourish when they are outside.

I begin fertilizing when they are all outside. I fertilize in a rotation basis. First watering: Fish emulsion/KelpMax, next watering I use a balanced powdered fertilizer, third watering plain water. The fertilizer is a very weak solution: .25 teaspoon to one gallon of water. I stop fertilizing when overnight temperatures drop below 50F and when I bring back inside for the Winter. In my geography that was the first of October.

Your geography is probably closer to what temperate Asia experiences in the Spring to Autumn period. I have seen pictures and videos on the internet that shows Neos growing in deciduous trees under a layer of snow. Google "Botany Bou" and you'll find this American living in Japan, talking about Neofinetia.

[stormzy]

Awesome Matt, thanks that helps a lot. How do you care for them during the winter rest? Do you just mist them a little? I will look at those plants online tomorrow. I will take a look at "botany Bou" also. I appreciate all the help. I am heading to bed, have a nice night Matt and everyone else on the boards.

[MattWoelfsen]

Oh oh, misspelled....Botany Boy NOT bou...sorry!

[stormzy]

no problem Matt

I looked at your recommended bean type, I really like

Tamakongou 玉金剛 and Kuroshinju 黒真珠

When browsing, I found Kinkujaku 金孔雀 peaked my interest. Do you own one?

[MattWoelfsen]

Yes, I have Kinkujaku 金孔雀. Photos of this plant do not do it any justice. My plant has suffered crown rot and has lost a couple of leaves but when it was healthy and given the right amount of light, the top of the leaves have this golden sheen color contrasted by the dark green underside.

Most bean leaf plants that have any variegation are very expensive. However this one is reasonably priced.