A JEWEL AMONG THE ROOTS

One of the most striking root tips amongst the FUUKIRAN is known as "ruby". Although the color is of a bright amethyst. Check out the photo below. No description can do the justice of this striking color! After the winter's dormancy these brightly colored root tips appear from the steams of certain FUUKIRAN cultivars. As the roots continue to grow, the ruby tips are followed by the white root cover, known as velamen. Velamen is a protecting epidermal layer, characteristic of many air plants. One of the functions of which is to act as a sponge collecting moisture around the live root tissue beneath.

Growing root tips of Neofinetia falcata 'Houmeiden' 豊明殿

When the root active growth is paused or completed, the ruby root tips disappear until the next growth cycle.

Regular watering and higher humidity will attribute to a maximum root growth of FUUKIRAN awaken from a winter sleep.

ON THE CLOCK

During the past couple of weeks most of my FUUKIRAN woke up with new root growth. Also the flowering spikes have started to enlarge.

All my plants are located outdoors. The day time temperatures have stabilized above 75 to low 80s F (23-27 C) and in the 60s F (15s C) at night. The given light is bright filtered until about 2PM (under a tall live oak tree), then shade. Humidity fluctuates between 50-60% daytime and 98% at night.

All indicating the need for more often watering and fertilizing. I mostly use foliar / root spay with Super Biogold fertilizer.

Here are a few examples of an active root growth: