Akogare 憧

Akogare is a small variety with thick leaves and is one of our top 5 favourites. This variety was discovered in 2003 in Wakayama prefecture. It produces a brown stem with a hint of red.  When the leaf emerges, it has a yellow (ghost) leaf that darkens with age but the older leaf can maintain some striping. To get the best tiger markings,akogare should be grown with a lot of light. The root tips are extremely red.

Fukiden

This expensive variety is considered the ‘King of Neofinetias’! With strong white marginal variegation on each broad leave, it commands attention when well grown. With ruby colored root tips and a red flower stalk in spring, it offers the viewer much appreciation of it’s beauty. Discovered over a century ago, it has remained on the top of the Meikan chart for this entire period due to its inherent beauty. A must for collectors, it still commands a high price due to its popularity. Characteristics include moon tsuke, ruby roots, white marginal stripes, red flower stalk, broad long leaves and a white ghost new leave that turns marginal markings in the seciond year.

Hanagoromo

A stunning plant that was found in the forest of Japan during the last 50 years. With yellow tiger markings and ruby roots, it can be grown into a spectacular specimen as seen in the picture. The tiger patterns need high light to achieve, short of burning. In spring, the fragrant white flowers emerge from a pinkish red flower stalk, framing the plant in a white cloud. Very spectacular. Characteristics include moon tsuke, ruby roots, yellow tiger, white flowers and red flower stalk. Still very affordable to add to any collection.

Isechabo 伊勢矮鶏

Isechabo is a mini mameba variety (bean leaf). Rough leaves and stem gives this a nice look. It has a moon tsuke and a regular flower. In the old days, kinkujaku was considered the mother plant of this variety but isechabo has many differences including thick fleshy leaves. It is considered a different variety now.

Jyukai 樹海

Jyukai is one of the seikai type Neos, characterized by a tight curled sword leaf. Jyukai appeared as a mutation of a Neofinetia in Korea. Two plants were pulled from the Neofinetia flask, one jyukai and the other himeseikai. The leaves are hard, almost like succulents. Like seikai, the flowers are wavy in a fiery upward pattern, different from other Neos.  They are white and fragrant. The most beautiful aspect is the large twisted clumps that a well grown plant can produce. The stem and root tips are green. 2 large growths.

Kinroukaku 金楼閣

Kinroukaku is a wonderful tiger stripe variety. It is a great beginner plant. Two types of kinroukaku are available, thin leaves and wide leaves.

Given strong light, the plant takes on a glowing appearance. Occasionally some clones will have very red roots. The truke is moon shaped

Kuroshinju 黒真珠

Kuroshinju is one of the smallest, very mini and cutest accessible Neos. This super miniature has round, fleashy and dark leaves. The flowers are upright and adorable with rounded petals and can have a touch of pink or green.

Ryokusaiho

This variety is very beautiful and much sought after. It came originally from the common bean variety Ryokuho, originally named Ryokuhonoshima (meaning Ryokuho with stripes). However, it was renamed after it entered the Meikan chart, a very common occurrence to rename a variety once it is registered. With yellow and white background, painted with light and dark green stripes, it is a very artful plant with no two growths alike. A fully mature growth is no more than 2 inches in leavespan and about 2 inches in height. The variety it belongs to are bean, shima, crescent tsuke and green roots. Culture tips: grow in medium light, mounted and on the dry side.

Surugabotan 駿河牡丹

Suruga-botan is one of those picture book plants. It has thick, medium size hime leaves leaves, with unusual curves and ruby roots. The leaves get kinbotan-like colour. It was named for the famous variety kinbotan. The ghost leaves become green and can have extremely yellow top leaves.   A very yellow tiger pattern is achieved with with more light. The variegation is stable. The leaves have a neat form. Moon tsuke.

Suruga-botan has a good volume-like appearance.