Neofinetia falcata - The absolute magic - Comprehensive guide and knowledge

Neofinetia orchids are a genus of the orchid family, related to vanda family. This genus in total combines of 3 species, three found in China, two in Korea and one in Japan.

But it’s the single Japanese species that is the prise jewel of the family and on this one species – Neofinetia falcata I will concentrate.

A lot of material contained in this entry comes from external sources that will be listed at the bottom for reference.

Neofinetia falcata starts shrouded in a local myth. The orchid is known under two names, Furan – meaning Wind orchid or the Samurai Orchid. It’s claimed that Shogun Tokugawa lenari fell in love with the plant and its beauty and a samurai was sent to help in searching and collecting the plants from the mountains.

It is arguably the first orchid ever to be grown with intention as a house plant from the early 1600s in Japan. Furan, the Japanese name for “Neofinetia falcata,” started to be replaced by ‘Fuuki-ran’ meaning ‘the rich and noble orchid’ as the plant quickly became loved by rich and noble people. Many years ago, Fuukiran’s were covered by a gold or silver net in order to protect them and people had to cover their mouth with Kaishi (a thin paper usually used for calligraphy) in order not to breathe on the plants while they appreciated them. This, by the way, is the same way the Japanese appreciate a great sword. This was an important time for Fuukiran as they became established into the Japanese culture.

In the Meiji era (1868- ) the new government introduced European and American culture in a positive light. Similarly in the world of gardening, either gorgeous and showy orchids from foreign countries were praised by polite society. Fuukiran were no longer the centre of a gardening world. However, while Fuukiran diminished in popularity, they were inherited and maintained by a handful of earnest lovers. Though Fuukiran became unpopular and valueless to most Japanese at the time, still there were enthusiastic hobbyists who continued cultivating quietly. They were handed down by true lovers. Then starting from 1926 till the war the popularity of the Neofinetia orchid was on a rise again, proven by many publications published nationwide. It was a period where many Fuukiran societies were founded paving through a road for the orchid. In 1939, many smaller societies merged to form the Japan Fuukiran Federation. But it still wasn’t a plant for the masses. At that time the price of Fuukiran was so expensive that an announcement party was held when someone purchased a good Fuukiran. Due to the cost, collecting was limited to people like aristocrats, doctors and other upper-class figures. It was a world not available to ordinary people. The high cost of Fuukiran combined with the expansion of the War gradually made Fuukiran collection nearly impossible. After the war it took almost 24 years for a major movement toward the orchid. In 1973 The Japan Fuukiran Society and Kinki Fuukiran Society cooperated with Japan Choseiran Federation to hold an Artistic Fuuran Exhibition, the biggest since WW II, at Chausuyama-honjin restaurant in Oosaka. There, 200 Fuukiran collectors gathered to show hundreds of their beloved plants from all over Japan. Since then, the population of Fuukiran lovers has increased gradually. 　

Fukiran Varietal Names

The Japanese have given all of the Fūkiran varieties a Japanese name.  These are often phonetically spelled out in English.  Some are descriptive of the leaf and flower, or just named for places or beautiful things.  Here is a partial list of varietal names and their translation:

Amanogawa - River of Heaven

Aojiku - Green Axis

Asahiden - Rising Sun Lord

Daisekai - Big Sacred Sea

Fugaku - Mount Fuji

Gekkeikan - Laurel Crown

Gojyo Fukurin - Castle Fukurin

Hakuun - White Snow

Hanagoromo - Clothes of a Flower

Hoshiguruma - Star Car

Kinkosei - Golden Light Star

Kocho No Mai - Butterfly Dance

Kohou - Yellow Treasure

Kutsuwamushi - Chirping Cricket

Momo Hime - Peach Princess

Nishi De Miyako - West Side Kyoto

Seiryujishi - Blue dragon backbone lion

Setsuzan - Snow Mountain

Seikai - Blue ocean

Shou Ten Nou - Red Emperor

Suikaden - Imperial flag

Unkai - Sea of clouds

Yodonomatsu - Pine of Yodo

The orchids show different type of roots, depending on the variety. The recognized types are:

Different types of ‘tuke’ which is the foliage ‘break’ point.

And even the type of variegation:

LIGHT

Neofinetias prefer medium light levels, from 1500 - 2500 foot-candles, about the same as Cattleyas.   Neofinetias can be grown indoors with an east exposure, and  south, or west exposure with some shade from direct sun.  They can also be grown under fluorescent lights indoors.  Keep the plants about 6" - 8" from at least 4 tubes.  In frost free climates, plants may be grown outdoors with filtered sunlight.

TEMPERATURE

Plants can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. In the spring and summer, day-time temperature can reach  70º F to 100º F, with a 10 to 20 degree difference at night. During winter months, day temperatures below 70º F are preferred.  Neofinetia falcata will tolerate winter temperatures in the mid 30's!

HUMIDITY

Ideally humidity should be kept from 40 to 70%.   However they can tolerate lower levels.  Use humidity trays or a small room humidifier when growing indoors.

WATER & FERTILISER

Use pure water, such as rainwater, distilled or reverse osmosis water if possible.   Hard water tends to spot the leaves and will eventually collect in the medium.  Flush the plant regularly, especially if using municipal or well water. Never use artificially softened water.  Plants should  dry out between watering.  Use ample water in spring and summer while the plants are in active growth and in flower, reducing water greatly during cooler winter days.  If plants are mounted, they will need to be water/misted every other day.  For fertiliser use a balanced orchid fertiliser during active growth.  If using rain, distilled, or reverse osmosis water, use a fertiliser formulated for pure water, or add some tap water to supply the necessary calcium and magnesium. Fertilise very lightly every other watering during the growing season.  If plants are mounted, they will need to be water/misted every other day.

POTTING MEDIUM & POTS

Neofinetias will grow in a wide variety of medium, ranging from coarse bark to the traditional method of sphagnum moss.  They can also be grown mounted if preferred or have been recently shown to grow fantastically well in semi hydroponics set up.  Pots can also range from clay to plastic.  With any pots, insure there is adequate drainage.  Add extra holes to plastic pots and enlarge the bottom hole in clay pots.

Sources: 

Fukiran Society of America - http://fukiransoa.weebly.com/

Negie Orchids - http://negieorchids.com/index.htm