Byakko 白虎

[MattWoelfsen]

This is a new listing. I have not seen this plant. What caught my eye was the description that Seed Engei provided:

"BYAKKO is new white tiger stripe variety and now having beautiful stripe. White tiger stripe variety doesn't like much light because they get burn easily. However the pleasant color of stripe is just appreciable."

Up until I saw the words "White tiger stripe variety doesn't like much light because they burn easily." I have had all my white tiger plants in a lot of light, for example, Amanogawa 天の川 and Houmeiden 豊明殿. The stripping on this Byakko 白虎 is different in that the stripe is mottled, whereas Amanogawa and Houmeiden have their stipe along the center of the leaf and tsuke.

The way SE writes this description I'm thinking they mean that this particular variety requires less light. Or do they mean all white tiger stripes require less light?

NOTE: the photos I am posting in this thread are from Seed Engei's eBay store. I would rather use my own images but I do not own these plants. I would someday hope to own these plants. <sigh>


Byakko 白虎 by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr


Byakko 白虎 by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr


Byakko 白虎 by MattWoelfsen, on Flickr

I'm really liking Flickr!

[coffeecup]

It means white striped plants tend to burn easier in higher light.

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by coffeecup

It means white striped plants tend to burn easier in higher light.

However, if Amanogawa and Houmeidan are also white striped, should they be grown in less light to keep their leaves from burning? I have grown these two plants in very bright light, they have developed beautiful white stripes and they have not burned. This is the first comment that I've seen from Seed Engei advising growing in less light. All the other plants with variegation of one kind or another, they encourage bright light.

This is another reason why I enjoy Neofinetia--just when I think I know how to grow these plants, some one comes along with contrary advice.

[Jayfar]

Do I have a vague recollection that we discussed this before and there was a real lack of consensus. I believe someone suggested that what works for them with the white tiger varieties is to alternate 2 weeks in bright light with 2 weeks in less light.

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by Jayfar

Do I have a vague recollection that we discussed this before and there was a real lack of consensus. I believe someone suggested that what works for them with the white tiger varieties is to alternate 2 weeks in bright light with 2 weeks in less light.

That's also what I recall. We didn't have a really good conclusion, I think something about the alternating light helps the tiger stripe, I don't remember anything more than that.

I do know that it is generally advised that for white variegation (tiger stripe or marginal) to keep them in lower light so as not to burn them, because white burns easier. Matt, if you are growing your white tiger stripes in high light I would say keep on doing it just keep an eye on them, especially when the summer comes and it gets a lot hotter. I know in general plants can survive higher light than recommended if the water, humidity, and air movement are also increased. You may have just found the peak of light intensity for your conditions. Who knows! maybe when Kristen gets back from Japan she can shed some light (hopefully it's not too bright! ) on this for us!

[MattWoelfsen]

Thanks for replying...I am now remembering we did talk about white tiger stripes needing less light than yellow tiger stripes. That seems like a long time ago. Quay, my two plants I mentioned in this thread are doing very well with their white stripe variegation. They are located in a western window...and they show no signs of burning.

Now I'm thinking that I need to move my Fugaku to a brighter location as the yellow variegation is turning green.

[NYCorchidman]

Very interesting what the leaves can do!

[dries666]

Very nice plant, and indeed I think they just meant that the white areas are more prone to burning then the normal parts of the plant, but nevertheless u might still need quite some light to keep the variegation nice? Seems like a double edged sword to me. My hokage, which also has white variegation, has shown some brown edges on it's older white variegated leaves. I don't know if this is from burning or just something the plant normally does with aging leaves...

Oh and, about the 'new varieaty' ... isn't byakko just a nicer variegated setsuzan which they then would give the name byakko? I seem to have read this somewhere, or maybe I am just mixing some similar names up...

greetz,
Dries

[jeremiah.chua]

Originally Posted by dries666

Very nice plant, and indeed I think they just meant that the white areas are more prone to burning then the normal parts of the plant, but nevertheless u might still need quite some light to keep the variegation nice? Seems like a double edged sword to me. My hokage, which also has white variegation, has shown some brown edges on it's older white variegated leaves. I don't know if this is from burning or just something the plant normally does with aging leaves...

Oh and, about the 'new varieaty' ... isn't byakko just a nicer variegated setsuzan which they then would give the name byakko? I seem to have read this somewhere, or maybe I am just mixing some similar names up...

greetz,
Dries

You are correct, Byakko is essentially Setsuzan with better variegation. I have Byakko and they need moderate lighting, I wouldn't keep it too low (like phal) but definitely don't keep it in super high light. I use natural sunlight and made the mistake of putting it outside with my yellow variegated ones. It burned in less than a week while everything else thrived. Houmeiden doesn't seem to burn as easily as Byakko.

Bottomline, too little light = not enough variegation is produced.
High too light = too hot = burn burn burn!

Be careful with this plant.

[Call_Me_Bob]

My approach is to be careful and watchful, but give them as much light as they can handle.