Jack wrote:
Thanks, I was very impressed and when I saw a flask of Neofinetia that
run about $150 to 225 a plant I joined the mailing list for the next
batch, and he has so many species that are hard to find or are very
expensive I know that when I get my green house I am investing in
deflasking and compotting supplies. Guess I'll have to join the E-bay
sales crowd to sell the extras because thats the most affordable way I
have found to expand my collection.

Jack


Jack,

You aren't paying that much for a plant, you are paying that much for a
division... Seedling neofinetias are inexpensive. What gives them high
value is the Japanese obsession with anything weird (variegation, odd
shaped leaves, etc.). A lot of these clones might never even bloom,
but they don't care. All the clones have japanese names (and a formal
rank in a sort of weird ranking system). Some plants might go for
$25,000 a growth, if you could convince the owner to part with one. I
actually have a bunch of low to mid range ones taking up residence in my
greenhouse right now (but they aren't mine).

There are 'americanized' neofinetia which may follow the normal rules of
orchids (judged based on flowers, etc). Even, *GASP*, mericloned neos.
You'd get the Yakuza knocking on your door if you mericloned a rare
one in Japan. Well, maybe not, but they take it very seriously. The
japanese way is to propagate only by division (the variegations don't
usually come through intact in cloning, anyway), and they throw most of
the divisions away.

Anyway, that is a 'get what you pay for' kind of warning. They are
great plants though, cool flowers and easy to grow. Well worth growing
up a flask or two, just don't expect to get premium prices when you sell
them.

--
Rob's Rules: http://littlefrogfarm.com
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a) See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to obtain more
orchids, obtain more credit