Japanese Orchids, Azalea bushes, and What Is In the Future

[@reginaldfaxworthington5353]

the way you speak and amble through your space is so calming. Keep being you!

[@Nhoj31neirbo47]

In my opinion you have one of the very best channels on KZbin for viewers with an interest in plants. I enjoy almost every subject you have covered in your videos. I also appreciate all the efforts you have made to improve the quality of your post. I like the direction you’ve chosen to go in, with an emphasis on what’s happening in your personal garden and your activities therein. Your previous videos addressing that topic have been very interesting and enjoyable. I also enjoy your excursions to seek out native flora in its natural habitat. Hopefully you will be inspired to occasionally venture forth and video in situ. ~ Hope you achieve increasing success with this channel in 2018. - John Obrien, gardener. (I changed my channel name)

[@botanyboy1]

Thanks John. It is really great to hear that you enjoy the vids. Upgrading/improving video quality has been a learning curve from day one, and I'm just getting to the point that I'm truly comfortable with the process. That last bit worries me though - time to push myself to learn more. I'll be out in the wilds again soon. I wanted to go today after work, but I think I better stay home and repot some more Neofinetia before they start really growing.

[@noellaq8056]

Hello! I just came across your videos today, after watching several made in the U.S., and just subscribed to yours. It would be great to see some videos of when you go exploring in the wilds. Thank you. I like your presentation, very well done and informative.

[@botanyboy1]

Thanks for watching and subscribing! I made an "orchid hunt" video last month, and should have another video out soon that is a comb orchid show/orchid hunt.

[@Michael-cl9mb]

All your videos are amazing. Thank you for all the effort you invest in them. It is generous of you.

[@botanyboy1]

Thanks Michael. I really do enjoy sharing my experiences, and for me that is reward enough. It is even better when folks like you respond.

[@kathymacomber5115]

Personally I have been fascinated by the plants in Japan.. I loved seeing the locals looking for Bamboo hearts. I never wanted to go to Japan til I saw your videos. Thank you

[@botanyboy1]

Kathy I am fulling sucked into this culture now, so I'm very much like the locals looking for wild foods, and all the rest. Being married to a native accelerated that process greatly. Urban Japan is over congested, but remains a good place to live IMO.

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

The reason I have subscribed is two fold, one I love the videos you do in situ sharing your wisdom on these beautiful plants. The other is sharing your life as a plant expert in Japan. I share your passion for Orchids and all plants really. Thank you for all you do!

[@botanyboy1]

Very heartening to hear. I started this channel with people like you in mind. It's a bit uncomfortable being called an "expert" though... I'm just a guy who is infatuated with plants. Thanks so much for watching!

[@BrandonSpannbauer]

I started here at your channel specifically for cypripediums, where they are naturally located and your culture tips. I love your videos with emphasis on your native orchids of Japan

[@botanyboy1]

I grew up with orchids, so you'll definitely be seeing more about them here. Unfortunately, I have given up trying Cyps in this environment. It is just too tricky to keep them truly happy.

[@fuukiran1]

Good one Tom!! Your Garden has always fascinated me through the years, looking forward to the new direction.

[@botanyboy1]

Thanks Craig. I should be producing videos at a much more fast pace, at least until I find myself getting too busy again!

[@darae3936]

I really like all of your videos for the quality and effort you put into them. Whatever direction you take, I will be watching.

[@botanyboy1]

That is very heartening to hear. You just motivated me to shoot another vid.

[@indigofox72]

1st time we’ve stumbled across your channel with our growing passion in orchids - new subs from Brisbane Australia 🇦🇺 really enjoyed this vid!!,

[@silvieporter8577]

LOVE your channel and am looking forward to your new videos. Ever thought of having a Q & A section at the beginning or end of your videos? Or maybe you could figure in a "do this" and "never do that" sort of thing? Or maybe a "common problems and solutions".... You see where I'm going with this? I figure most people watch out of a shared love and interest, but others (like me) also watch for potential tips on growing various orchids etc. Love that peach colored Azalea - beyond gorgeous. Your whole garden is an absolute oasis. Beautiful and tranquil.

[@botanyboy1]

Thanks so much for the input Silvie. I suffer from too much schooling. I start everything out from the end of the story and only occasionally refer back to the beginning... there I go again! Yes, those are all very good ideas. God knows how many questions I've had through the years, and how many mistakes I've made. I like the Q&A idea in particular - I need to build a dialog with my viewers. BTW, that peach azalea also comes in lemon yellow. Thanks for watching!

[@pmbalzer]

Your channel is great and I love watching your videos. I particularly enjoyed the videos showing your trips into Japanese nature, hiking, introducing to your audience the various plants - and animals - you encountered. I also look forward to seeing more of your garden. All the best to you and your family!

[@botanyboy1]

Thanks Peter, I really do appreciate you watching. I will hike the mountains until I can't move anymore, and then I'll crawl. So, you'll definitely be seeing more nature on this channel.

[@OrchidsFynbos]

Love watching your channel, and excited to see what’s in store going forward 😊. Please promise to keep adding the odd wild orchid expedition those are my favourite! Japan is so beautiful you are blessed to stay there. Keep up the awesome vids 😎

[@botanyboy1]

Fantastic! Another wild orchid lover, and from South Africa! I would love to botanize your region - really out there stuff. I'm also thrilled to see your channel - I'll definitely be watching. Don't worry, there will be many more orchid adventures on this channel.

[@OrchidsFynbos]

botanyboy1 well if you ever find yourself in Cape Town I would love to show you a few of the great hiking spots and collaborate on botanising the Cape region :)

[@botanyboy1]

Man, I'd love that. Ditto if you ever come to Japan!

[@vancam1550]

I love neofinetia falcata!

[@flaviobalestrin8497]

Here in Brazil we love your channel!!!! Please keep it alive,! Regards Flavio

[@botanyboy1]

Thanks so much Flavio! I will keep posting to the channel, so please keep watching. BTW, I would love to visit Brazil one day, especially the coastal rain forest and of course the Amazon.

[@SPLToronto]

Your neofinetia video got me really started in the new hobby! Thank you.

[@botanyboy1]

Great! Enjoy these cool little plants, but be careful, they are addictive.

[@chloel6433]

Your collection of neos is amazing! :) The first couple of minutes of this video was so serene. Hope there'll be more of these vlogs of your garden to come,

[@botanyboy1]

There will be many if things go as planned. My neo collection started back in 2004, so that's one reason why I have so many. Do you grow any neos?

[@chloel6433]

I got one just last month from an orchid show. The rate of growth on this little thing is insane! Totally regret not getting a 2nd, especially since there aren't that many places in Canada that sells neos. Your previous video of a neo orchid show was super informative, I know now what to look out for the next time I get a chance to shop!

[@botanyboy1]

Huh, I'm amazed it is growing so fast for you. Mine are pretty slow, or at least it feels that way!

[@Cgraseck]

Cool, but If I were to repot my Neos like that, Here in south eastern New York, I would have to water every other day! Mine actually do nicely in glazed traditional pots with much more sphagnum. They totally dry out ( all the way through) in a week. Cheers, Chris

[@marygeorge2467]

Hi Tom ~ I'm a recent groupie to your videos because I both lived in Japan and when I came back to PA, planted a garden of my own. As I mentioned before, I planted tree peonies, Japanese tiger lily and Japanese beautyberry. The videos when you visit places - the shinto shrines and parks - are among my favorites. I know Japan has festivals for just about everything, so maybe something with the chrysanthemums, or bonsai. Or large tree bonsai (I remember the gardeners using bamboo ladders, climbing twenty feet up to sculpt the neighbor's trees), grapes, herbs, ginkos falling from the trees (I never knew what the neighbors did with those pods!), water plants, specialty gardeners, ikebana . . . should I quit while I'm ahead? My proverbial two cents... sumimasen.

[@botanyboy1]

Hi Mary. Yes, Japan has a festival for everything! I've gotten used to it such that I forget how unique it all is. I have "festival" videos on chrysanthemums (2!), hydrangeas, roses, Japanese iris, azaleas (2), a maple garden in fall up already... not to mention orchid shows... gosh, I can always do more. I will be doing a bonsai video sometime, and a wisteria video pretty soon too. Keep your eyes peeled! Tom BTW, ginko nut fruits are delicious - one of my favorite fall foods here.

[@marygeorge2467]

I certainly will! Oh, one more thing - and please, do not take any offense to this - because I do like very much and appreciate ALL of your videos. But the one I watched at least two dozen times is the Cherry Blossom Festival, April 5, 2016, with the music by Kevin MacLeod. It is unhurried, alluring and touching, a very generous way of sharing the Japanese season with the complete absence of voice and man. The petals around the rocks . . . sore wa totemo kirei desu. . . . subarashi desu. You did well. Beyond well.

[@botanyboy1]

Ha, ha, no offense taken. I tried to make more videos like the one you mention, but there seems to be relatively little interest in them. I too love the "unhurried" life feeling, and I've made several videos like that, plus several with just natural sounds (meditation and expansive nature vids) - again, relatively little interest from viewers. BTW, the actual sound tracks of the "beauty" and "nature" videos all have replaced tracks since the real sounds are chock full of human noise - cars, trains, plane, people talking, dogs barking, construction work... urban Japan and nearby areas like where I live are very busy, crowded places. Thanks for watching. I'll be making more "beautiful Japan" videos in the future, have no fear!

[@Kevhoe]

Loving the vlog style. Along with your own garden, though, I’d really like to see you venture into traditional Japanese gardens in your area(or outside if traveling) and talk about the specific plants being used in these gardens, their culture and growth habits/needs(like zoning, water, soil preferences, etc. like you do for your own plants). That would be awesome!

[@botanyboy1]

Good to hear you liked this format. Yes, I've been thinking about doing a Japanese Garden "break down", so now you've motivated me to try one this year. There are a couple nice ones near me, but nothing as amazing as you see in Kyoto or Nara.

[@TracMcNguyen]

looking forward to seeing future content, esp the neo stuff. :)

[@botanyboy1]

Thanks Trac. I'm repotting more neos today before they explode into growth. It is a never ending process!

[@marilynquindo2417]

everything looks beautiful!!!

[@elsadelapena6620]

I love your channel.

Hola amigo, espectacular jardín! Saludos desde Galicia.

[@botanyboy1]

Muchas gracias! どうもありがとうございます！Thank you so much!

[@beanerschnitzel794]

5:20 does that stuff just fall from the trees naturally? Is it sphagnum moss? I’m just a newbie trying to learn all about my love of all plants and you have really caught my attention with your calm voice your outstanding flowers 🌸 I’m so excited to see all your videos, love from Roseville California

[@botanyboy1]

That plant is "Spanish moss", Tillandsia usenoides, a bromeliad native to the subtropics and tropics of the Americas. It grows very well in this humid climate. I'm glad you are enjoying the videos, but I wish I felt as calm as my voice suggests!

[@kayrazahra1454]

I love ur channel.... i love your beautyfull orchid garden

[@Betinasorangeboxcom]

Your Chanel is my very favourite, its a chanel that teaches and shows me beauty that i would not be able to see otherwise, one question what were the white bits you put in with the neofinetia re potting pls :-)

[@rice-stuffedoctopus7786]

The word on the ribbon reads Magamp, a kind of fertilizer.

[@Betinasorangeboxcom]

Thankyou :-)

[@botanyboy1]

Yup, that's the stuff, made by Hyponex. It is a slow release pelleted fertilizer that is commonly used in Japan. It's NPKMg ratio is 7:40:6:12. I am trying it out this year to see if the neos respond better. My poor plants don't get a steady enough diet, because I forget to fertilize regularly.

[@botanyboy1]

Great to hear you are enjoying the channel!

[@daisyflower4105]

I’ve just started subscribing to your channel. What was the white substance you were pushing into the pot around the sphagnum moss when you were potting the N.falcata? I love Japan and Japanese gardens. I live in Sydney.

[@botanyboy1]

It is a fertilizer called "Magamp" with an (N:P:K:MG) ratio of (7:40:6:12). I used it for a year but it turned all the sphagnum moss green with algae, so I stopped using it! Some growers of Neofineta falcata and Dendrobium moniliforme use it here in Japan. I prefer using liquid fertilizer.

[@laurapoore1284]

Love your channel

[@elizabethcuevas-neunder6158]

How can I get Orchids from Japan? I’m in Florida. Thank you 🙏

[@michaelnebauer6344]

Hi, I subscribed your Channel for more of these great and informative Videos. Can you help me ? I got two little Dendrobium moniliforme today from a famous german nursery. To my regret, both plants do not have a single healthy root, apart from a few small offshoots that grow on the old stems. Do you know what I can do to generate root growth again? or should I just continue to cultivate the offshoots? I would be very happy to receive an answer - greetings from Bavaria

[@botanyboy1]

Not much you can do right now except keep them moist and pampered. Usually this species goes into a winter rest period at this time of year, but if yours is stressed like that, I'd keep it in a warm, humid place until it recovers. Likely the old canes will not root again, and may not have any more growing points at their base to produce new growths. My recommendation is to put the plant into a ceramic pot with high quality sphagnum moss and water it carefully. I mean let it dry out a bit between watering, but not of course completely dry. The new offshoots will probably become the new plant, so I would be sure to care for those. Letting their roots grow into the moss will speed up the recovery of the plant. Good luck!

[@michaelnebauer6344]

thanks for the answer, i will try that way! 👍

[@qinga7828]

I hope I have learned English much better. It's so hard to commment my appreciation and gratitude clearly. Great video again. Infact, I think all your videos are interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@botanyboy1]

Thanks so much for watching.

[@kathymacomber5115]

Are those special pots and fertilizer pellets?

[@botanyboy1]

Yes, on both! Those are pots made for orchid cultivation and are mostly used for growing Dendrobium moniliforme. The fertilizer is a slow release type with an N:P:K:MG ratio of 7:40:6:12. It is made by the Hyponex company. I am trying it out this year on my Neos, a few other orchid species.

[@MrLuisf80]

Good content. What job let's you afford all those plants?

[@botanyboy1]

I am an English teacher. I am "driven" to grow plants, so I would have them around even if I had less money. Many of the plants you see were grown from seed (free or cheap), or are offsets from others. Also, I've been given many plants from friends here. In the last few years I've been getting rid of plants more than I get new ones. The truth is if my yard were bigger, I'd have more than I do now! Thanks for watching!

[@imonyse]

Neofinetia falcata has thick roots and prefer partially exposed to open air. I don't think the Japanese potting method (which you use) are best for the plants. Like the Chinese way of growing terrestrial orchid, its purpose is to make it look nice for people to watch, not for optimal growth. I have tried grown them both in sphagnum moss( either Chile and New Zealand) and orchid barks of different sizes for years. And the plants grown in medium sized bark (9-12mm) with orchid mesh pots ( or clay pots) are always the healthiest, and has the least root problems ( which I see a lot in your video's plants) .

[@botanyboy1]

Thanks for your comments! In fact, I agree with you. Growing N. falcata in pure sphagnum can be problematic, and requires annual maintenance. I repot about every other year since the moss starts to break down and cause root problems - as you've noted. So this requires using a lot of sphagnum moss which has to be harvested from wild sources. This is done sustainably in some areas and poorly in others. Another reason for not growing in moss... That said, if done correctly, growing this species in this "traditional" Japanese way can work well. I am not an expert at growing plants in general, hence I have more problems. I've seen many plants grown this way by dedicated growers and they grow wonderfully. I know of not one serious fuukiran grower in Japan that doesn't grow them in moss. Also, as you noted, growing them this way makes it possible to present them in glazed pots at shows, something that is required if you are going to show plants in Japan. So it is all a choice. BTW, I do also grow them on mounts (trees in my garden and on tree fern fiber), and even have one plant growing over a upside down clay flower pot. They seem to do reasonably well for the most part. The final point is to enjoy the keeping of them however you decide to do it. Thanks for watching and sharing your ideas!

[@kathymacomber5115]

Do neos need repotting on a yearly basis?

[@botanyboy1]

Wow, lots of questions. Under my conditions, I repot every 2 or 3 years.

[@kathymacomber5115]

Are your kids interested in plants?

[@botanyboy1]

I married late in life and do not have children. My dad got me into plants, so I definitely was interested.

[@beanerschnitzel794]

botanyboy1 you’re blessed to have had a dad to teach you about plants. I never got to meet my dad. god bless him, he died in 88 without knowing me. But that is life, not always fair. I’m thankful for him giving me life and that’s what I focus on

[@fuchsgaehnen]

snoozapallooza