Orchid of the day: Neofinetia falcata

Neofinetia falcata

This small and petite orchid is native to China, Korea and Japan. It is also called the Samurai orchid because Shogun Tokugawa Ienari, of Japan, fell in love with this orchid. See my post from June 22, 2014 for more background details.

There are some orchid growers who specialize in the Samurai Orchid Neofinetia falcata, or Fukiran, and its many genetic varieties.  The flowers are normally white but highly prized forms with more purple, pink or yellow flowers exist.  The genetic variations are not limited to the flowers; also varieties with differences in plant size and root appearance can be found.  In Japan where Fukiran has been grown for hundreds of years, each variant has its designated name, such as ‘Shutenno’ (magenta) and ‘Kibana’ (yellow).

Plants of Neofinetia falcata are traditionally grown in specially designed pots in long-fiber sphagnum moss, which is wrapped into a hollow cone around the roots.  Although the end result with the plant sitting on the top of a mound is very attractive, Neofinetia falcata grows very well if treated like a Vanda.  Actually, the accepted name for this species is Vanda falcata. 

Initially, Arne cultivated this orchid in the traditional  Japanese style, in a pot with sphagum moss but he slowly decided this was not for him. He has since 2015 re-potted this orchid in his usual wooden boxes. The Neofinetia falcata has done well until today. 

A) The traditional Japanese style in 2014.

B) Neofinetia falcata in its wooden orchid box, in 2016.

C) Zooming in on an individual crisp white flower.

D) As the orchid settles in its wooden box, the number of flowers increased. This was in June 2017.

E) This year, the orchid is doing very well with at least twelve flowers. The wooden orchid box clearly agrees with it.

I hope you enjoyed my post today, until next time, have a great week.