Neofinetia falcata

[articuno75]

Okay I promised that I would do a thread on these little wonders with some history and information. So I'm going to give as much info as I humanly can. All of this info is what I gathered from the web, and from where I bought my babies.

Here goes....

Neofinetia falcata or "wind orchid" are actually very easy go grow. These orchids are very hardy and can tolerate extreme temperatures even to as low as the upper 30's.

Light should be at medium levels ranging from 1500-3000 ft. candles, 6"-8" away from fluorescent lights, and 4 feet from high intesity bulbs. The plants can be grown both outdoors or even on a windowsill. East, south or western exposure preferred with filteration.

Humidity should be kept around 40%-60%. Water with clean water if at all possible. Flush the plant regularly if using tap or well water. DO NOT USE SOFTENED WATER !!! Let the plant dry out between waterings. Use plenty of water between active growth which is spring and summer and also while the plant is in flower. Reduce water intake when in dormant period, cooler winter days.

A balanced fertilizer can be used year round preferably urea free. If rain, distilled, or reverse osmosis water is used, add a little tap or well water to supply the needed calcium and magnesium. Fertilize very lightly during the growing season and once a month during the rest period.

Neofinetias bloom usually spring through fall. The inflorescence can have from three to as many as 15 flowers. Most variations are white with a nectary spur, but there are also pink, green, cherry-red, and yellow colored forms, as well as different leaf variations and growth habits. The blooms typically last 1-2 months and are very fragrant both day and night. Fragrance ranges from citrus, floral, tropical, and bubble gum. Yes, BUBBLE GUM !

Repotting is usually done in the spring and early summer round about 2-3 years, containers being clay, plastic, net pots or wood baskets. Mix must be able to drain freely. Ideal medium is spaghnum moss only, or tree fern fiber only, spagh/tree fern mix, open bark mix, or osmunda fiber. Plants can also be mounted on cork, fern plaques, or on wood. If conditions are kept right some growers can even mount on rocks with live moss.


When I purchased my Neos, there was a lot of Japanese terminology that I had to take a crash course in for the meaning and type of orchid I was purchasing. This is the standard that the Japanese use on these orchids. Here is some terminology that will come in handy for those who may want to purchase one later on.


Ran = Orchid

Furan = Wind Orchid

Fukiran = Rich and Noble Orchid


Types of growth:

Bean Leaf= Leaves are thicker and plants have a shorter leaf span.

Contorted Growth= Leaves have a twist or contortion.

Ocean Wave= Leaves will have a slight twist, more so at apices.

Pine Needle Growth=Growths have more leaves and are generally smaller.More leaves per growth.

Princess Leaf= Slightly narrow green leaf.

Samurai Growth=Leaves with a strong, downward curve.

Fukurin Variegation= Marginal variegation, striping may be along the leaf edge, as well as the center of the leaf.

Tiger Striping= Translates as Tiger Uneveness. Markings are bands of color on the leaf. Some are distinct, while others blend.


This is where I even still get confused. Some of these orchids are still called Fu-ran(wind orchid). These are the orchids that are grown in certain parts of the regions of Japan, Korea and China. These orchids love moving air. Go figure. Others are called Fu-kiran. For it was said only the rich and noble owned them. (In history, only the Shogun warriors and Emperor were allowed to possess these.) Now one of my orchids is a type of Fu-ran. The other one is a type of Fu-kiran.

I do know that it is more difficult to ascertain the pink colored Neos due to high demand. In price comparision, yellows were higher. Cost is calculated by growths and type of form. Prices range from $15 to as high as $3000.00, with the average being $30-$75.

You can google more information on Neofinetia falcatas. Here are a couple of sites where I got my information from. There's plenty more on these sites.

This is where I bought my orchids. Very awesome.
New World Orchids

More information on this site and can purchase a book that is strictly all about these plants. (All other books were in Japanese)
THE NEOFINETIA WEB 富貴蘭

Another site that has tidbit information and also sells Neos.
Orchids and Orchid Supplies

I hope that all of this information helps.
Happy growing!
Jenny

[tom499]

A very good report I vote for sticky.

The info on winter dormancy has quelled my worries, mine is only a single growth, and has only made one leaf since having it. Hopefully It will kick off in spring!

Tom499

[kmarch]

I've bought lots of orchids from New World Orchids and know the guys who run the nusery. As far as I'm concerned, they're the US experts in Neos.

[pikevi]

That is a very comprehensive info on Neofinetia, especially for a serious lover of Neofinetias.

Thank you, articuno75.

I lost my only one this past summer. What attracted me to it was the uniqueness of its mount. I just wanted to try it. I have not seen any recently. But I am waiting for late winter when we will have a few orchid shows.

I hope I will be able to get a few of them.

[articuno75]

I do know this. When I looked everyhere, and I mean EVERY WHERE, There were only two vendors/sites that I could find for the United States that You could buy them. That's the sites mentioned above. I'm sure there are more, but probably not having the variety that these two do.

Pikevi, isn't it fascinating on how it's done? So easy too. You can see the technique and how it's done on New World Orchids

Kmarch: I would definitely consider them the experts here in the U.S. I got to talk to one of them for quite a while over the phone. Very fascinating. He goes to Japan personally 2-3 times a year for orders on Neos ! Even though he also has them growing in GH. How awesome is that?

[brookn]

Very nice. This is good information for anyone interested in Neofinetia. You did a really great job on this!

[arleneg]

articuno75,

I agree that New World Orchids has the most Neo. variety. I've ordered from them before.

To add, orchidweb.com has a good variety of Neos, but not as many as NWO.

By the way, I have the Benisuzume (bubble gum fragrance) and can hardly wait when it blooms!

[articuno75]

Originally Posted by arleneg

articuno75,

I agree that New World Orchids has the most Neo. variety. I've ordered from them before.

To add, orchidweb.com has a good variety of Neos, but not as many as NWO.

By the way, I have the Benisuzume (bubble gum fragrance) and can hardly wait when it blooms!

OOooo. You have to let me know if it really does. You gotta post the pics too! This one is also on my next to get list.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by arleneg

To add, orchidweb.com has a good variety of Neos, but not as many as NWO.

I'm pretty sure that Orchids Ltd get their Neos through Glen at New World Orchids.

[articuno75]

If you bounce back and forth between the sites you can price compare. NWO has the most. Also another tidbit of information that I forgot to mention. Some of the Neos types have morphing capabilities. how cool is that?

[arleneg]

That's interesting. When I received my orders from from Orchids Ltd. and from NWO, I noticed they look very similar (i.e. same furan pots). The only difference is the name tag.

Originally Posted by kmarch

I'm pretty sure that Orchids Ltd get their Neos through Glen at New World Orchids.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by articuno75

Some of the Neos types have morphing capabilities.

What do you mean by morphing capabilities?

[articuno75]

By what I've read, and what Glen said, some of the variations have morphing capabilities. They can actually change into the other types of growths or variations. Example. The Neo 'Gekkeikan' can under the right conditions, morph into the 'Tenkei' variety.

The 'Gekkeikan' has a stripping pattern on the leaves that's both yellow and green, kinda reminds me of almost like a spider plant. The 'Tenkei' has this same pattern, but a little more different and more striking.

Not Neos will do this. And not all Neos will morph. This is what got me fascinated about this species in general. I've been trying to find out what varieties have this ability, but I guess I'm just going to have to email Dr. Lehr and ask. (There's not a whole lot of info out there, and what there is, it's in Japanese!) This is why I bought a "Gekki" so I could watch it grow and see for myself if it were to ever change.

[pikevi]

That is a very interesting phenomenon. I wonder if the term 'morphs' has been used a bit loosely here. Would the 'transformation' go back and forth?

[articuno75]

By what Dr. Glenn Lehr told me was that if it were to morph, it does for the better. It sounded like once it changes, it's permanent. They never go back. I've looked, and am still looking for info on this phenomena, cause it doesn't happen all the time.

[pikevi]

I am trying to get more info on that too.

Thank you.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I had originally avoided Neofinetia because I am not too thrilled with white flowers. I saw a pine needle type at Cal Orchids and fell in love with the plant itself. So, first Neofinetia. Then while at Cal Orchids on another occasion, they must have had a good price on a near mature seedling of 'Casper' X 'The Bride'. Sure sounded like another white Neo to me, but I bought it anyways. The first one must have been growing on me. THEN, while at the Santa Barbara Orchid Estates recently, they had another bunch of Neos on their $7.50 specials, and I must be a sucker for a bargain, because I picked up another one there. So, here I am beating my head against a stone wall asking myself why in the world did I want another white orchid!!!! So, the first to bloom was #2, the 'Casper' X 'The Bride', and guess what? It was pink! What a delight! Where in the world the pink genes came from, I have no idea. It certainly doesn't sound like either of the parents was pink, that's for sure. So here it is. Maybe not deeply pink, but definitely not pure white.

Neofinetia falcata #2 IMG10330 photo - Admiral Schnitz photos at pbase.com
Neofinetia falcata #2 IMG10328 photo - Admiral Schnitz photos at pbase.com

Needless to say I am one happy camper.