NEOFINETIA FALCATA 'SUIKADEN' 翠華殿 IN BLOOM

'Suikaden' 翠華殿 is a beautiful compact shaped FUUKIRAN with fairly large white flowers. One feature that makes it even more special - its sepals and spur retain their green tips after openning, although the green may be very subtle or dissipate as flowers age. As with all FUUKIRAN, the fragrance is very pleasant and strong.

Neofinetia falcata 'Suikaden' 翠華殿 displayed in a vintage Japanese pot painted with CHUNRAN motif (maker unknown)

Neofinetia falcata 'Suikaden' 翠華殿 flowers close up

LONG AWAITED FLOWERS OF NEOFINETIA FALCATA 'HISUI' 翡翠

One of my favorite blooming FUUKIRAN is 'Hisui' 翡翠. I have always been drawn to green flowers, as green highlights its lines and shapes like no other. Related to that, I love black and white photography, as its somehow able to focus my eye on details, otherwise overlooked in color photos.

As I gaze at the flowers, it is clear, why this FUUKIRAN was named 'Hisui' 翡翠 or jade. There is a Chinese saying: "gold has a value; jade is invaluable". Green is quite rare among FUUKIRAN, especially at the time when 'Hisui' 翡翠 was discovered in 1980's. Besides, Jade is the national stone of Japan.

Last thing I want to mention is its fragrance, which reminds me of european cyclamen (Cyclamen purpurascens). As with many FUUKIRAN, its scent gets much stronger during the eveningt.

Although, old blooming specimens will impress with their profusion of flowers and foliage, my very young plant photographed on the rainy day, transcends delicateness.

Neofinetia falcata 'Hisui' 翡翠 displayed in pot with beautiful jade crackled glaze by the famous Heian Kouzan.

Neofinetia falcata 'Hisui' 翡翠 flowers close up.

CHANGEFUL FLOWERS OF NEOFINETIA FALCATA 'KINGINRASHA' 金銀羅紗

A beautiful 'Kinginrasha' 金銀羅紗 is in bloom. My plant is very young with only one fan, yet it is blooming. Star shaped flowers are pure white with the spur rolled in a circle. Very nice and compact presentation!

Neofinetia falcata 'Kinginrasha' 金銀羅紗 displayed in a vintage pot by Koshousen, Yamaaki kiln, Tokoname, Japan.  

Another effective feature of this FUUKIRAN is pedicel (a steam that attaches flower to the inflorescence). The pedicel is green at the base, transitioning to reddish, followed by light yellowish green color before the flower.

Neofinetia falcata 'Kinginrasha' 金銀羅紗 flowers with colorful pedicels.

In addition, white flowers of 'Kinginrasha' 金銀羅紗 turn yellowish at the end of their life. Thus 'Kinginrasha' literally means "Gold and Silver Felt", where 'felt' refers to the ruff texture of the leaves. Flower yellowing is common among Neofinetias, the uncommon part is that the flowers of 'Kinginrasha' 金銀羅紗 while yellow preserve their shape for some time before wilting.

Freshly opened flowers of Neofinetia falcata 'Kinginrasha' 金銀羅紗 

Flowers turn yellow at the end of their blooming cycle.

NEOFINETIA FALCATA 'YAMATO NISHIKI' 大和錦 IN BLOOM

Fairly standard as far as its shape, white blossoms of Neofinetia falcata 'Yamato Nishiki' 大和錦 create a beautiful display above variegated foliage. What I like about this FUUKIRAN, is its fairly short and self supporting flowering spikes.

My plant is quite young, with only one mature and three immature growths, but it is promising to be an abundant bloomer in the future.

Neofinetia falcata 'Yamato Nishiki' 大和錦 displayed in an antique Uematsu Tosui pot with "cat's feet" legs

Close up of Neofinetia falcata 'Yamato Nishiki' 大和錦 flowers

Neofinetia falcata 'Yamato Nishiki' 大和錦 in bloom

GENTLE BLOOMS OF NEOFINETIA FALCATA 'KUTSUWAMUSHI' 轡虫

So delicate, flowers of 'Kutsuwamushi' 轡虫 are unique and very appealing. Every flower part, including the spur, tend to face upward. White, tinted with pink flowers give out a sweet aroma that gets stronger in the evening and through the night.

Neofinetia falcata 'Kutsuwamushi' 轡虫 displayed in a pot by Bigei (Hirata Atsumi) of Tokoname, Japan

Neofinetia falcata 'Kutsuwamushi' 轡虫 flowers close up

BLOOMING NEOFINETIA FALCATA 'SHOUJOU' 猩々

It is a beautiful spectacle, Neofinetia falcata 'Shoujou' 猩々 in bloom! Amethyst color tinted flowers are less common among typically white flowered FUUKIRAN. Even a young plant like mine, with only one spike and five flowers is a show stopper. The pale amethyst growing root tips coordinates beautifully with the amethyst tips of the sepals and petals. 

Blooming Neofinetia falcata 'Shoujou' 猩々 displayed in a Japanese pot by Youzan (Shimizu Masakazu) of Tokoname.

Neofinetia falcata 'Shoujou' 猩々 flower close-up

NEOFINETIA FALCATA 'TAMAKONGO' 玉金剛 IN BLOOM

It is finally in full bloom! A year later, recovered from a move, the orchid has put out two flowering spikes. This particular FUUKIRAN creates a beautiful compact display of MAMEBA type foliage and flowers with short spur. The showy look and sweet fragrance, combined with ease of growing, makes this FUUKIRAN one of the most desirable in my collection.

Another characteristic of this FUUKIRAN is long roots. The plant develops long branching roots and therefore best displayed in a tall pot, where its silvery roots can be fully appreciated.

Neofinetia falcata 'Tamakongo' 玉金剛 displayed in a pot made by Keiko Stusnick, Japanese-American potter

Neofinetia falcata 'Tamakongo' 玉金剛 flowers close up

A JEWEL AMONG THE ROOTS

One of the most striking root tips amongst the FUUKIRAN is known as "ruby". Although the color is of a bright amethyst. Check out the photo below. No description can do the justice of this striking color! After the winter's dormancy these brightly colored root tips appear from the steams of certain FUUKIRAN cultivars. As the roots continue to grow, the ruby tips are followed by the white root cover, known as velamen. Velamen is a protecting epidermal layer, characteristic of many air plants. One of the functions of which is to act as a sponge collecting moisture around the live root tissue beneath.

Growing root tips of Neofinetia falcata 'Houmeiden' 豊明殿

When the root active growth is paused or completed, the ruby root tips disappear until the next growth cycle.

Regular watering and higher humidity will attribute to a maximum root growth of FUUKIRAN awaken from a winter sleep.

ON THE CLOCK

During the past couple of weeks most of my FUUKIRAN woke up with new root growth. Also the flowering spikes have started to enlarge.

All my plants are located outdoors. The day time temperatures have stabilized above 75 to low 80s F (23-27 C) and in the 60s F (15s C) at night. The given light is bright filtered until about 2PM (under a tall live oak tree), then shade. Humidity fluctuates between 50-60% daytime and 98% at night.

All indicating the need for more often watering and fertilizing. I mostly use foliar / root spay with Super Biogold fertilizer.

Here are a few examples of an active root growth:

 

 

 

ON WITH ITS GROWTH CYCLE

Since March, I had my FUUKIRAN placed outside under the shade of a live oak tree. Often watered by the rain and with regular foliar spay of Super Biogold fertilizer, the orchids were growing well and many have produced pups. Most of my plants are definitely becoming bigger clumps.

I re-mossed my entire collection in the beginning of October in preparation for their rest. Since then their roots and leaves growing have been slowing down for the most part. My FUUKIRAN are entering hibernation. The night temperatures now have established in their 60s (60F / 15C) and soon will start to deep into low 50s (50F / 10C), as an average.

It is usually the coldest month, when FUUKIRAN rest, during December-January-February and into March. Watering must be reduced to every 5-10 days and the light intensity is lowered too.

It seems that here in Florida my FUUKIRAN, so far, are following their natural growth cycle:

December/January/February/March - hibernation

March/April - beginning growth

May/June/July - active growth

July/August - rest

August/September/October - growth

October/November - preparation for hibernation

Blooming occurs from late spring to June/July and may repeat August/September/October.

Neofinetia falcata 'Shoujou' 猩々 in the fall, with five new growth developed this year.

FUN MUTATION ?

I acquired this Neofinetia falcata 'Gojo Fukurin' 御城覆輪 as a single growth last August. Year later, it started to produce new growths, three of them at the same time. While two of the three growth are starting to show mutation, but still unclear. One of the growth has shown a definite mutation, where instead of its regular marginal cream color stripes known as FUKURIN, it is developing NAKAFU or center stripe.

Although, 'Gojo Fukurin' 御城覆輪 is known to mutate into other striping patterns, nonetheless, it is fun to observe it first hand. It is especially exciting to see new developing leaves on these mutated growths and discover what they will grow into in the near future. To be continued ...

SHUNRAN IN BLOOM

Off season, my Cymbidium goerengii 'Setsuzan' 雪山 is in bloom! First flower is open, two more are getting ready.

I acquired this orchid last August. It originates from Kumamoto Prefecture in the central part of Kyushu island, Japan, The plant came with three matured growths and nice healthy roots. Here is the photo of the potted plant then.

A year later, 'Setsuzan' or 'Snow Mountain' is in bloom. It has been growing quite nicely and developed multiple growths and more compact leaves. The leaf length changed due to better light. Keeping it outdoors has been quite beneficial. 

The flower emits a peasant aroma reminiscent of a Cyclamen. The fragrance is stronger in the morning and can be sensed around the plant. 

The leaves are beautiful on their own, dressed with a thin white border, beautifully harmonizing with the orchid's green and white flowers.

I grow my SHUNRAN in a mixture of Akadama (baked Japanese clay) and Kanuma soils. This acidic and well draining mixture assures healthy white roots. I fertilize with Super Biogold pellets placed on the substrate and with occasional Super Biogold foliar spray.

With night temperatures gradually getting cooler, I am looking forward to seeing how this SHUNRAN will respond to a Florida winter chill and how it will effect the quality of its flowers. Cymbidium goerengii 'Setsuzan' 雪山 is known for requiring less chill time to bloom successfully.

HIGH FUUKIRAN ON THE MOVE !

There has been a silence on my blog. The only explanation I can find, is because my FUUKIRAN are resting and

I AM MOVING TO FLORIDA !!!

Yes, a dream come true! I am very excited about the move and the new challenges and possibilities in growing FUUKIRAN and other Japanese orchids in a completely different environment. It's outdoors, it's with addition of rain water, it's with better temperature range and high humidity, and it's with employing more traditional techniques.

The climate, where I am going to live is similar to southern Japanese Islands and in particular Amami Island. Summers are hot and humid In Sarasota FL, but coastal location makes it a bit cooler and breezier, than in central Florida. Also the presence of two seasons - dry/cooler and rainy/hot/humid makes it very similar with Amami Island.

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA

Average High Temperature Years on Record: 30   ANNUAL  JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC  F 84.6 73.9 76.9 80 84.6 90 91.7 92 92.1 90.6 86.5 80.5 75.4 Average Low Temperature Years on Record: 30   ANNUAL  JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC  F 61.7 49 51.8 55.2 58.7 64.1 70 71.9 72.7 71.5 65.2 57.6 52.1 Average Precipitation Years on Record: 30   ANNUAL  JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC  in. 59.6 2.7 2.8 3.9 2.6 2.8 9.7 9.7 9.7 7.9 3.3 2.2 2.5

AMAMI ISLAND, JAPAN

Average High Temperature

Years on Record: 30

		ANNUAL		JAN		FEB		MAR		APR		MAY		JUN		JUL		AUG		SEP		OCT		NOV		DEC
F		76		64		63		67		73		78		84		88		88		86		79		73		67

Average Low Temperature

Years on Record: 30

		ANNUAL		JAN		FEB		MAR		APR		MAY		JUN		JUL		AUG		SEP		OCT		NOV		DEC
F		64		52		52		55		61		65		72		76		76		73		67		61		55

Average Precipitation

Years on Record: 30

		ANNUAL		JAN		FEB		MAR		APR		MAY		JUN		JUL		AUG		SEP		OCT		NOV		DEC
in.		124.8		7.9		8.3		8.3		10.3		12.6		16		9.7		13.1		10.6		12		9.1		6.9

I have big hopes that my collection will respond well to the change. This spring/summer for sure, will be a busy time for me!

Time permitting, I will be posting updates and notes of the progress. In 3-4 month my FUUKIRAN should start blooming in Florida!

TAKE YOUR SIDE

NeoNut wrote, Dec 17, 2015: "One of the questions I have is what would be the name of the seedlings of 'Tamagawa' be. I have seen in the market seedlings of 'Hisui' x self being sold as 'Hisui'. 

This would like x selfing 'Red Delicious' apple and selling its seedlings as 'Red Delicious' which isn't correct since any cross creates a new cultivar. Comments?"

I got this and many more questions from others after my article "NOMENCLATURE NOTES ON FUUKIRAN. CULTIVAR VERSUS VARIETY OR FORM" was posted.

Here are a few thoughts.

It has always been a big mass, to deal with nomenclature! When mentioning "variety", one have to be specific whether mentioning "variety" as a botanical variety (taxonomic rank) OR a horticultural variety OR a legal term.

Botanical variety occurs in the wild within the species rank that is geographically separated from other varieties within the same species and is different. Botanical variety is true to type (plants propagated by seeds look like their parents)

Horticultural variety or a cultivar is a plant selected under cultivation for desirable characteristics that can be maintained by propagation (not always sexual). Although, can be a special selection from the wild. Here is a great explanation of what cultivar is and does:

"Cultivars are not necessarily true to type. In fact cultivar means "cultivated variety." Therefore, a cultivar was selected and cultivated by humans. Some cultivars originate as sports or mutations on plants. Other cultivars could be hybrids of two plants. To propagate true-to-type clones, many cultivars must be propagated vegetatively through cuttings, grafting, and even tissue culture. Propagation by seed usually produces something different than the parent plant." (from the article by Cindy Haynes, "Cultivar versus Variety", published originally on 2/6/2008 at the Horticulture & Home Pest News, Iowa State University).

"Variety" is also a legal term and used by breeders for some legal protection, providing so-called plant breeders' rights.

Regarding Neofinetia falcata, some are true botanical varieties (those that can be still found in the wild). For example, depending on who's view you except Neofinetia xichangensis or N.richardsiana could be botanical varieties of Neofinetia falcata. Majority of neofinetias we grow are cultivars that were selected under cultivation by human.

There is no one solution to resolve the mess within the plant names (especially orchids!), but one can reject or accept someones view and follow it.

Personally, I am rejecting new taxonomic combination for Neofinetia, and will NOT call it Vanda. I am accepting "cultivar" (horticultural rank) and will be writing the name as follows - Neofinetia falcata 'Tamakongo' 玉金剛

Botanical and horticultural nomenclature is not an exact science and heavily depends on expert's personal view (splitters vs. "clumpers").

Now, that I can breathe easier, I have the time to enjoy my fuukiran, instead of chasing one expert view from another.

Finally, answering NeoNut question:

If the seedlings of 'Tamagawa' look like the parent plant, they will be called 'Tamagawa'. If not, get the selected seedling registered with AOS (American Orchid Society) and call it whatever you would like. Japanese Neofinetia registration is whole other system on its own. The rest of the seedlings would be called 'Tamagawa' X self, indicating that plants are NOT true to type.

ALL ABOUT TSUKE

A connection between the leaf and the leaf sheath (basal part of the leaf) or, as it is known in scientific terms, abscission zone, provides an amazing mechanism responsible for the leaf to fall off the plant. Every FUUKIRAN has this connection, colloquially known as the leaf joint or articulation, or in Japanese - tsuke. 

The abscission or "breakaway" zone between the actual leaf blade and the leaf sheath is made out of specialized cells with thinner cell walls, less cellulose and shorter in size. These cells are structurally weaker then the rest of the leaf cells and prone to "give up" or break in certain situations, causing the leaf blade to disconnect from the leaf sheath. The act of disconnecting is triggered either by the leaf being at the end of its lifecycle or stress, ex. drought, heat, disease or physical trauma.

Several types of tsuke in FUUKIRAN are observed and are a subject of appreciation. Each tsuke type is given a name in association with its shape.

A - CRESCENT MOON,  B - STRAIGHT LINE,  C - ARROW,  D - MOUNTAIN ,  E - WAVE

Of all tsuke shapes, Crescent Moon and Straight Line are the most common. In some FUUKIRAN the distinction of tsuke could be vague, thus the Wave tsuke might look more like a Straight Line, than a Wave.

Comment: I recently learned that there is a "tsuke-less" FUUKIRAN. It is extremely rare, but it exists. A member of  Facebook's Neofinetia Group had posted some pictures of the plant. This is another reminder about tremendous genetic plasticity within this species.