New to Neo - Bonsai Pots OK?

[MattWoelfsen]

Neopots are expensive. They are, for the most part, used for display or show. However, if you want a cheaper alternative, go to

- Plastic Neofinetia Pots #

And get these pots.

[chiirioz]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

Neopots are expensive. They are, for the most part, used for display or show. However, if you want a cheaper alternative, go to

- Plastic Neofinetia Pots #

And get these pots.

Woo! Thanks for the link! I'm definitely going to be buying them.

I've gotten a couple clay pots - I am gifting one neo to my boyfriend's father for his birthday (they are all from Japan). While we were in Japan for holiday, his father cared for my orchids - my bf noted that he really enjoyed taking care of them (his father has always had a green thumb but never had orchids so I'll make him a new convert). My Phal. Chibae, that has had no growth suddenly shot out a spike... so I thought maybe to give him a small orchid of his own that is reminiscent of the country he is from.

I'm in a bidding war on ebay for the Suikaden - seems like Neofinetias are an expensive line to get into. Not sure which to give him... the Suikaden or the Kuroshinju.

[Pattywack]

Welcome to the Neofinetia nut club. I recently began buying these gorgeous plants and just love them. I started in November and I now have a dozen, trying to convince myself to stop adding more and just grow these for now. I don't often listen to myself though.

I have the Kuroshinju and Suikaden, they are both beautiful, the Kuroshinju is probably my favorite of them all just because it is so tiny. I won my Suikaden on eBay, great seller. I buy orchids on eBay quite often and if your in a bidding war now you may want to stop bidding as you are only running up the price for yourself, in my opinion. I never bid until the end of the auction. I wait to see how high the bid has gone then I bid once, large.

The pots Matt has shown you are great and inexpensive, most of my plants came in these pots. There is a thread here about making Neo pots, it's an awesome read, I've made a couple myself.

Good luck with your new baby and good luck with the bidding! Share pictures when your able to!

[chiirioz]

Originally Posted by Pattywack

I have the Kuroshinju and Suikaden, they are both beautiful, the Kuroshinju is probably my favorite of them all just because it is so tiny. I won my Suikaden on eBay, great seller. I buy orchids on eBay quite often and if your in a bidding war now you may want to stop bidding as you are only running up the price for yourself, in my opinion. I never bid until the end of the auction. I wait to see how high the bid has gone then I bid once, large.

Good Idea - I really, REALLY want the Suikaden because I love the green-tipped flowers. I'm going to wait until Sunday (when it ends) as I've just been outbid at $44 for 3 growths... still a good price. I'll probably wait. Seems like the standard price per growth is around $25-35. I'm a sucker for simple flowers and this variety fits the bill. Not sure what I should put for the final price... so nervewracking!

[Pattywack]

Nerve wracking for sure, my main reason for not bidding early as it just wears me out. I'm a poor loser too, lol. I just watch, then decided if I'm going to bid in the last few seconds. I paid 41.00 for my 3 growth, it is a nice plant. I believe it is the same seller and their plants are beautiful. The green tipped blooms will be nice. Hope you win.

[MattWoelfsen]

If you lose out on either Neofinetia, check out these vendors:

NewWorldOrchids.com

Orchid web.com

Al's Orchids.

These vendors sell their plants by growth. Seed Engei is the usual vendor on eBay in the USA. You are watching Satomi's Sunday night auctions. I blame her for getting me hooked on Furan!

[Pattywack]

Orchid Web has a one growth plant with two starts for 45.00
New World Orchids is sold out

I don't see it listed at Al's Orchids but he may have it. You could email him, he rarely answers the phone.

I love Seed Engei auctions

[chiirioz]

I'll see what happens with this auction - the recommendation on the website is to purchase at least two growths and the ebay listings are all multiple growths... I guess the question I want to ask is, what risks would I be running if I just purchase one growth for the sake of saving money?

[estación seca]

Bigger plants
- dry out less during shipping;
- are easier to get established in new surroundings;
- are more tolerant of temporary problems;
- are more tolerant of new growers;
- grow and flower better.

Most people agree you will be much happier long term, and have a better collection, if you buy bigger plants rather than smaller plants.

Learn how to grow inexpensive and ordinary single-fan plants rather than expensive and rare ones.

[MattWoelfsen]

Chirioz, the Suikaden--has gotten a little expensive. I would recommend not bidding further. If you are looking a green flower, KISHU-RYOKUFU 紀州緑風, is still reasonably priced. But the person that has already bid on it sometimes has a large hidden bid.

When I first started with Neos, I did go the small and less expensive route. I still have some of those earlier plants and they have gotten more growths and have bloomed for me. But, when I started getting larger, more expensive plants, I found them so much easier to grow.

About once a month, Seed Engei sends out a list of Neos, often includes Suikaden, and are multi-growth. When she sends out this list, I will forward it to you.

Bottom line, $44, is a lot to pay for a plant that started at $19.99.