Hime seikai growth rate and care

[Hakumin]

Mine a while ago was not terribly slow, but slower than other bean leaf varieties. I have since sold it off in favor of Seikai though.

In regards to flowering, I find that Himeseikai, as well as Seikai and Jukai need a cooler, longer, more consistent winter rest than most varieties to reliably bloom.

[Shoreguy]

Originally Posted by Hakumin

In regards to flowering, I find that Himeseikai, as well as Seikai and Jukai need a cooler, longer, more consistent winter rest than most varieties to reliably bloom.

Less light and even allowed to dry out completely or just cooler? During super storm Sandy my electricity was out for 11 days resulting in nighttime temperatures in the low fifties and daytime low sixties but no flowering. Most of my other neos really appreciated it with prodigious flowering the following Spring.

[Hakumin]

Originally Posted by Shoreguy

Less light and even allowed to dry out completely or just cooler? During super storm Sandy my electricity was out for 11 days resulting in nighttime temperatures in the low fifties and daytime low sixties but no flowering.

Winter rest does not mean dry out completely. Enough water to prevent dangerous levels of dehydration is still necessary.

11 days is not enough for this one. I find that mine need 2-3 months of regular nighttime lows in the high 40s, low 50s.

[Shoreguy]

Not being sarcastic but do you use your refrigerator for this?

[Hakumin]

Originally Posted by Shoreguy

Not being sarcastic but do you use your refrigerator for this?

No. A standard fridge would be dangerously cold, but I've seen examples of people rigging up wine fridges with lights that could potentially work.

[Shoreguy]

I once had a Masdevallia which I subjected to the refrigerator at night but neither did it initiate blooms nor did it damage the plant. Finally got rid of it because it was too much bother.

Warning: YMMV

[Shoreguy]

Originally Posted by Hakumin

No. A standard fridge would be dangerously cold, but I've seen examples of people rigging up wine fridges with lights that could potentially work.

I just checked the “warmest” part of my refrigerator, the butter compartment on the inside of the door, with my maximum minimum thermometer and it registered 40 degrees minimum.

Realizing that this is lower than recommended, but I am almost tempted to try it out next winter as I am getting tired of the plant not blooming. I understand it might not survive but I have come to the point of not wanting it otherwise. Also it would be valuable to see what happens in the name of orchid culture.

[Hakumin]

Originally Posted by Shoreguy

I just checked the “warmest” part of my refrigerator, the butter compartment on the inside of the door, with my maximum minimum thermometer and it registered 40 degrees minimum.

Realizing that this is lower than recommended, but I am almost tempted to try it out next winter as I am getting tired of the plant not blooming. I understand it might not survive but I have come to the point of not wanting it otherwise. Also it would be valuable to see what happens in the name of orchid culture.

While the nighttime temperatures definitely need to be low during winter rest, i'm not 100% sure on the effects of the daytime temperature. It might need to be fairly low as well. However, sticking it in the fridge for months without any light would probably be bad too.

[huiray]

You're on the Jersey shore. This means you get COLD periods in winter. Perhaps you do not have any place in your house which could get cold during winter? Say, a spare room with sunny windows where you can shut off the heating vents?

If this is so, then - yes, you will have issues with blooming stuff like himeseikai and seikai.

In winter I keep my himeseikai and seikai in a breezeway between my garage and kitchen. I actually need a portable heater in there (I use an oil-based wheeled radiator unit to keep the temp above freezing at the least during winter) The temps in the breezeway regularly reach around 40+ Fahrenheit in winter, but also often in the 50's range. This is for several months. I also let them dry out - and, in fact, shrivel somewhat --- then rejuvenate them by watering them copiously and standing them in saucers of water.

So far this year I count about six spikes on my hime-seikai and 4-5 spikes on my seikai.

ETA: I also keep the colder-growing stuff in this breezeway --- Holcoglossums, dendrobium nobile derivatives (e.g. Dend. Ise), cold-growing Epis, cold-growing vandaceous types, that sort of thing.