Mame-ba

[MattWoelfsen]

Gyokki 玉輝 is a variety of Tamakongou 玉金剛. Leaves are thicker than Tamakongou 玉金剛. Great looking plant even in small stage.

Senzai 千載 is a small variety in Mame-ba (bean leaf variety) and very popular. It looks similar to Kuroshinju 黒真珠, which is considered the smallest bean leaf. The difference between these two varieties are flower, stem, and size.

These are in two inch net pots.

[Pattywack]

These are on my list, especially the Senzai. I'm really wanting that one. I have a Kuroshinju and love it's tiny size, even made a pot for it because it needed a special one. Does the Gyokki get larger than the Senzai and Kuroshinju? My Tamakongo has several growths and is a fairly small plant, it looks very much like your Gyokki.

Thanks for sharing your plants. I enjoy seeing pictures of growers own plants rather than vendors pictures and your descriptions are very helpful. Nice looking plants.

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by Pattywack

These are on my list, especially the Senzai. I'm really wanting that one. I have a Kuroshinju and love it's tiny size, even made a pot for it because it needed a special one. Does the Gyokki get larger than the Senzai and Kuroshinju? My Tamakongo has several growths and is a fairly small plant, it looks very much like your Gyokki.



Thanks for sharing your plants. I enjoy seeing pictures of growers own plants rather than vendors pictures and your descriptions are very helpful. Nice looking plants.

Patty, you must show off your Kuroshinju in its special pot! The Gyokki remains smaller than Tamakongo. Another way to describe this plant is to compare it with Tamakongo. I'll post a picture of both plants--so you can see the difference.

It took me a couple of years before I finally acquired Senzai. That is one very popular plant and therefore much more expensive in comparison to its size! Gyokki is slightly larger than Senzai, Senzai is about double the size of Kuroshinju.

Hmmm....I think I'll post a picture of Tamakongo, Gyokki, Senzai, and Kuroshinju so you can see the difference.

[MattWoelfsen]

Here is a picture of all four plants!

From left to right:

Tamakongou 玉金剛 (in a three inch net pot)
Gyokki 玉輝
Senzai 千載
Kuroshinju 黒真珠

[MattWoelfsen]

Looking at the Tamakongo, I just now realized I need to report this plant, now. The moss has gotten old and the roots are growing out of the pot.

[Pattywack]

This is very helpful! I'm a bit surprised at the size difference in Kuroshinju and Senzai, so thank you for this picture. I thought they were almost the same size. Your Tamakongo is larger than mine and very nice looking.

I'll post a couple of pictures. The pot is representing the Black Pearl, lol.

Second picture is with my Tamakongo

[Pattywack]

My Tamakongo is a recent purchase a few weeks ago from Orchids Limited, the Kuroshinju is from NWO. The Kuroshinju is still dormant.

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by Pattywack

My Tamakongo is a recent purchase a few weeks ago from Orchids Limited, the Kuroshinju is from NWO. The Kuroshinju is still dormant.

You made your Kuroshinju pot? That is very nice. I like how you designed your pot to reflect the English name of "Black Pearl". You are very creative. Thank you for posting your pictures.

[charlesf6]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

Looking at the Tamakongo, I just now realized I need to report this plant, now. The moss has gotten old and the roots are growing out of the pot.

Just curious, was wondering why these plants are potted so high above the basket lip?

Is this the way they should be planted for a benificial reason?

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by charlesf6

Just curious, was wondering why these plants are potted so high above the basket lip?

Is this the way they should be planted for a benificial reason?

Hello Charles, glad you asked. Neofinetia falcata is an old, historic plant, grown in Japan, China, and Korea. Over several centuries, the Japanese developed a style of growing this orchid in sphagnum moss, called kokedai. Basically a sphagnum moss ball is created on which the plant's roots are draped around the root ball, thus placed, the roots are covered with another layer of sphagnum moss. At the bottom of the moss ball, a hollow center is created to allow air to penetrate the center of the moss, allowing the roots to have air.

The benefit is to get the sphagnum moss to provide humidity to the roots and as the moss dries, creates a nice humid environment. Plants are placed in net pots or special Neofinetia pots that also encourages air and moisture exchange.

Neofinetia roots are very long, over-potting them above the pot's lip allows for a longer space to grow without increasing the circumference of the pot.