Orchid Man in the United Kingdom

April has brought us some unusual events, full lockdown, life threating pandemic, and oddly enough on top of that nice sunny weather. Its nature’s tongue-in-the-cheek i think.  In the growth space there is a few interesting things happening, the biggest one is that neofinetias woke up and are growing rots like mad. Because the living room plant stand where they are, doesn’t get sun till after 3PM, I’m having the LED lights on through most of the morning. However, i have completely unplugged the heat mats as they were drying out the sphagnum moss way too fast and I was really worried it may be more damaging to the plants than actually doing any good. Neofinetia, at the end of the day are intermediate to cool growers I don’t want to push my luck. And there is so much to see, the three (now four) no ID neofinetias are growing like mad. One was growing so vigorously it split itself in half as the new roots were pushing the other fans away, which is interesting and I never saw...

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. 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. Neofinetia falcata ‘Gojo Fukurin’ is a very common and traditional mutation of Neofinetia. Some will eve...

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. 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. Neofinetia falcate ‘Shutennou’ is one of the most sought after of all the Neofinetia varieties. A very...

Ascofinetia Hsinying Starlight is a neofinetia back-cross hybrid resulting in a large variety of colours from powder pink/white, through ink to yellow and deep orange and something between a dirty orange and red tones.  It’s parents are Ascofinetia Lion Star x Neofinetia falcata 'Amami Island'. Because these plants are seed grown there will be a variety between each individual plant in terms of size, foliage, and flower size and colour making it very exciting for a grower. The Hsinying Starlight can be grown in a typical neofinetia Japanese moss set up, and will thrive. However it can also be grown in bark or hanging baskets. These plants will enjoy intermediate temperatures and not letting it dry for too long. If in doubt, treat it like a neofinetia.

Darwinara Rainbow Stars is a neofinetia intergeneric hybrid. It’s parents are (Darwinara Charm 'Blue Star' x Neo. falcata 'Tamakongo'). It’s classic Neofinetia falcata hybrid that can exhibit a great deal of variety in its flower and foliage coloration. This unusual and exotic cross can produce a wide spectrum of colours ranging from dusty white, light pink, dark purple and even yellow or blue. The flowers are fragrant and they bare a shape very close to a standard neofinetia flowers. This vigorous hybrid will grow much larger than its Neofinetia parent, though it retains the similar growth form and will quickly create a large healthy clump. Also as in neofinetia, thanks to the mutations the colour of the roots can vary from pale green, through mud and ruby. These plants are best grown in various ways, similar to neofinetia orchids. Starting with hanged in baskets and on mounted and require bright to full sunlight and cool to intermediate temperatures. If ha...