New World Orchids: Two New Neofinetia Orchids

[gmdiaz]

Hello all,

Just a quick report on my two new Neofinetia's from New World Orchids.

Dr. Lehr was very helpful with my first purchase. I only knew that I wanted a tiger striped form and a pink flowering form. He picked these two out and shipped them out right away, so that I would receive them before the weekend. Super fast shipping and amazing customer service.

Both plants arrived in good condition but the packing was not quite up to Andy's Orchids or Oak Hill Gardens amazing packing techniques. There was a lot of wiggle room in the box. But neither orchid was damaged in transit, so that worked out just fine. The leaves were protected with packing material and the moss ball probably helped protect the plants as well. Both were potted in plastic, egg shaped pots that also provided extra protection for the roots. These pots are really great, providing lots of air circulation to the roots!

He included, along with the orchids, a really lovely indigo fabric piece called an Awa Ai. I believe that it's an example of the indigo trade, intended to help preserve the love and history of making products out of raw indigo materials. That history is now considered a cultural treasure. But I don't know much about it, so will have to do research. . .no doubt the whole point. Two points for Dr. Lehr!!!

Here's what Dr. Lehr sent me per my request for a pink blooming Neo and a Tiger Strip Neo:

Shojou: 3 growths that bloomed last year, with nice red markings on the leaves. This one should have "white flowers with pink tips, a little pink spur and peduncle."

Kinrokaku: 5 growths. "Tiger Stripe type, nice golden yellow markings.

Standard White: In the picture, there is a third Neo. that is the one I got from an Ebay seller, for comparison. It's a standard white blooming type with solid green leaves but a very nice one.

**I am wondering if NWO would have enough Neo orchids for all the group members in the US, if it were to be the winning orchid. . .will email him to see what he has in his greenhouse and if he would be interested in offering a slightly discounted group pricing.

[gmdiaz]

Photo Details:

Shojou

[Orchidophile]

Wow, I really like the Kinrokaku and great job potting those. New World Orchids was at the MOS show but I dont think they had any Tiger stripe type but they did have the variegated types and they were too much money for me but I did get a small one 'chosentetsu aojiko' its about 1 1/2" tall with 7 growths.

[gmdiaz]

Photo Details:

Kinrokaku

[shakkai]

Really, really nice, Gwen! That yellow variegation is stunning! And I really like the red leaves. Very nice 'choices' - I think you did really well!

I can't wait to figure out what I'm going to get!

So, the question is... where's the pic of the Awa Ai??

[Dorothy]

What cuties!
WOW! Look at those bulging balls
Those guys sure know how to 'mound'

[gmdiaz]

Originally Posted by Orchidophile

Wow, I really like the Kinrokaku and great job potting those. New World Orchids was at the MOS show but I dont think they had any Tiger stripe type but they did have the variegated types and they were too much money for me but I did get a small one 'chosentetsu aoliko' its about 1 1/2" tall with 7 growths.

Hiya,

This is the way that New World Orchids pots their Neos. . .I think these all come from Japan.

Yes, they're really expensive for me too. . .both plants and shipping was $100.

Running to go check out the Chosentetsu Aoliko! Hey, seven growth is BIG when you figure the price per growth! *ACK* I had to go small. lol

Btw, they also use a fancy string to secure the moss ball. . .the string looks like moss and really blends in but it has a bit of green so I found it. lol

[gmdiaz]

Originally Posted by shakkai

Really, really nice, Gwen! That yellow variegation is stunning! And I really like the red leaves. Very nice 'choices' - I think you did really well!

I can't wait to figure out what I'm going to get!

So, the question is... where's the pic of the Awa Ai??

I knew you were going to say that. . .be right back.

[shakkai]

[gmdiaz]

Photo of the Awa Ai

This is about three feet long, two feet wide.

This is what my paperwork from NWO says on the subject. . .no author attributed.

"History of Awa Ai

The origin of Awa Ai is still uncertain. One explanation is that Lord hachisuka Iemasa introduced indigo to Awa no Kuni (Tokushima) in 1585, but other evidence suggests that indigo was already an important source of revenue in the Muromachi Period (1378-1573 a.d.). By the Edo Period (1603-1867 a.d.), Awa Ai was extremely profitable and under the protection and control of fiefs (han).

In 1903 (36th year of the Meiji Period), the production area of indigo in Tokushima reached an all time hight of 15,000 hectares (1 hectare=2.471 acres). However, by 1966 (41st year of the Showa Period) chemical dyes had dramatically reduced the production areas to 4 hectares. I recent years, concern for Awa Ai has increased and efforts are being made to preserve and protect this important cultural treasure."

And

" Raw Indigo Dye (Sukumo)

The raw materials used to make Awa Ai come from the leaves of the 'Tade" indigo plant. The leaves are harvested, dried and allowed to ferment. This substance which contains raw fermented dye material is called 'sukumo' and is used to produce various indigo products.

'Sukumo' is made by placing dried indigo leaves in a fermentation bed and spraying them with water between 15 to 20 times. After 5 to 7 days, this process is repeated. After about 3 months of repeated spraying and fermentation, a solid mass with a dark brown color appears. This substance, called 'sukumo', will later be used to make Awa Ai."