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.

INTRODUCTIONS ● NEOFINETIA FALCATA 'HOUMEIDEN' 豊明殿

CHARACTERISTICS: leaf span - 5-5.5 in (13-14 cm); jiku - brown; tsuke - crescent moon; ne - ruby*

'Houmeiden' 豊明殿 is a very impressive FUUKIRAN in many ways. Its name could be translated as "Bright Temple" or "Bright Palace" pointing to a vary interesting torafu or tiger type variegation called amanogawa. It is characterized by having a middle portion of the leaf white. 'Houmeiden' variegation is ephemeral, as the leaf matures it turns completely green. Such a beautiful feature reminds me of nagajuban 長襦袢, one of the layers of kimono 着物. Only the white collar edge of the traditional nagajuban shows from beneath the outer kimono.

The other prized quality of 'Houmeiden' is in its roots. Bright amethyst-pink to ruby-red colored growing root tips contrast with white velamen of the rest of the root. It is quite a showcase to see this orchid during its active growth.

Neofinetia falcata 'Houmeiden' 豊明殿 displayed in Chinese pot with dragon carving and perforated rhombus pattern 

Close up view of Neofinetia falcata 'Houmeiden' 豊明殿 with young variegated leaves

Close up view of Neofinetia falcata 'Houmeiden' 豊明殿 growing root tip

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* The characteristics used are of the plants that I own