Hoshiguruma

[jkofferdahl]

After drooling over everyone's Neos I finally have a chance to share one. I can't tell you much about Hoshiguruma. I bought it last August, a bit before I "discovered" the amazing variety of Neos (I've had at least one Neo in my collection for at least 20 years). I bought the plant simply because it was sold as a peloric, and I think pelorics are interesting. What I didn't realize about the flower when I purchased it is that it entirely lacks a spur.

[estación seca]

Beutiful flowers!

[AnonYMouse]

Literal translation is "star wheel", "star cart" or even "star car". (Speculating it has to do with the spokes of a wheel.)

So, Neo initiate (get it?), tell us what kind of "tsuke" (axil) and root color this plant has.

[PaphLover]

Wow! Interesting!

[Pattywack]

This is beautiful! Very unique blooms, tell us more about it.

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

Literal translation is "star wheel", "star cart" or even "star car". (Speculating it has to do with the spokes of a wheel.)

So, Neo initiate (get it?), tell us what kind of "tsuke" (axil) and root color this plant has.

Wow. Now I have to learn before I can answer. That's not fair! OK. The tsuke is Crescent Moon, the roots are white with purplish green tips. Your translation makes sense since peloric is defined as taking radial symmetry. Thanks!

---------- Post added at 06:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:11 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Pattywack

This is beautiful! Very unique blooms, tell us more about it.

I wish I could! All I know is that it's a Neo and peloric. It grows in with my other minis, under T5 and positioned to receive a bit more light than would a Phal. Nightly lows about 68 and days up to the mid-80s, humidity in the mid-60% range. Two of my Neos (this one included) grow here, and are in 2" plastic pots with some bark, though not a lot. The second, smaller fan on the plant is just initiating a spike.

[Pattywack]

They certainly like your growing conditions, congratulations on the blooms and spikes. You may be in trouble now, so many other Neos. They are so irresistible.

[MattWoelfsen]

From Seed Engei:

Hoshiguruma 星車 has unique flower which has six petals and no spur as normal flower is compounded from five petals and one spur. Flower color is normal white and have great fragrance as normal Neofinetia falcata. HOSHI means star in Japanese.

This is one of the first Neofinetia I acquired. If you are collecting Neo by flower form. Hoshiguruma 星車 would represent all of the no spur variety, then any Furan with a single spur, then there is Soubiryu 双尾龍 which has two lips (sometimes) and two spurs (sometimes). Then Manjushage 曼珠沙華, which has three spurs.

[jkofferdahl]

Thank you, Matt, that's enlightening and appreciated. I'm a NeoPhyte, despite having grown this species for at least 20 years. Between Ree's question (I had to look up "tsuke" before I could answer) and your explanation of the spur types I've learned more about the species and varietals than I knew before my original post! Would I presume that the other two Neos I have, which are generic falcata species plants, would be Furan? All of the flowers are now open on my Hoshiguruma and the fragrance is delightful!

[MattWoelfsen]

Jkofferdahl, the word Furan is romanji for Fu=Wind, ran=orchid. I use the word interchangeably with Neofinetia or Neos. I prefer to call these plants Furan because it is a lot easier than saying Neofinetia. Plus this word covers all Neofinetia orchids, registered or not.