Orchid of the day: Neofinetia falcata

For such a small and petite orchid, Neofinetia falcata has a fascinating story to tell. This is what I have gathered and summarized so far. It is indeed an interesting story worth further reading for those intererested.

Neofinetia falcata

Neofinetia falcata is native to China, Korea and Japan. Also called the Samurai orchid because Shogun Tokugawa Ienari, of Japan, fell in love with this orchid. This is the first orchid to be cultivated in-house in Japan and treated very much like bonsai, admired not only for the flowers, but also for the composition of the foliage and the overall shape of the plant. The Japanese name for Neofinetia is Fukiran, the rich and noble orchid because it was adored by the rich and noble class. The popularity of Neofinetia cultivation in Japan goes back to the Edo period, 400 years ago. However there was a brief decline in popularity after the Meiji restoration period in 1870s. The reason being the introduction of bigger, more colorful and more exotic tropical orchids by the Westerners. Fortunately with the establishment of the All Japanese Fukiran Society in 1920, the popularity and survival of this orchid continues to thrive not only in Japan but has expanded around the world.

A) May 18th 2014. A flower stalk appears.

Neofinetia falcata generally flowers in June to July and emits a very sweet candy-like fragrant. It is strongest at dusk and dawn. In our hands, we noticed a flower stalk emerging by mid May this year. Arne bought this orchid online in February 2013. It came as an extremely small seedling in a pot with stones! He then re-potted the Neofinetia falcata in sphagum moss, according to the traditional Japanese-style. Giving it a very bonsai-like look, I would say.

B) A close up of the stalk with developing buds.

C) June 7th, three clear flowers developed with the spurs at the ends.

D) Four flowers bloomed on June 14th.

E) June 15th. Trying another background to clearly show the 4 blooms.

F) Finally I got the money shot! A clear definition of individual orchids up close on June 21st 2014.

G) The entire pot. We keep this orchid in our orchidarium.

H) My Anthony (~77 lb, English Shepherd mix), giving the size perspective of this petite, bonsai-like orchid in real life.

Another fun fact, we were fortunate enough to visit Japan a few years ago and stayed at a mountain resort in Hakone, near the Mount Fuji area. This hotel has been around since the Edo period and we found out that this resort was a favorite of the late Shogun Tokugawa's wife. The actual room we stayed in was her favorite room. Coincidental? Perhaps!