Although the long-standing culture of orchids generally familiarizes us with hybrids of complex, often multigenerational origin, in the case of the species Neofinetia falcata, we paradoxically deal with a botanical species that has been cultivated for approximately 400 years.
The first documentation of the cultivation of this species dates back to the Kanbun era (1661 - 1673) in medieval Japan, but the custom of growing these miniature Vandas gained significant popularity during the Edo period, when a notable diversification of available varieties also occurred.
The possession and cultivation of Neofinetia falcata orchids was predominantly an attribute of daimyo (Japanese nobles) and wealthy samurai, which is why the species became known in Japan as Fuukiran (fuuki = rank, wealth, social status), and later worldwide as the “samurai orchid.” The cultivation of this species became so deeply rooted in Japanese society and so strongly associated with high social status that presenting a valuable and exceptional specimen could be the reason for granting domains and properties to the respective person. Beyond the fact that possession of such plants was allowed only for the ruling class, the complex etiquette dominating medieval Japanese society led to the creation of a set of conduct rules even for events where the displayed specimens were viewed. For example, during the viewing of orchids belonging to the shogun, visitors were required to cover their mouths with paper, and the plants were protected by screens to prevent contamination, including from the breath of those present. To this day, there are known over 2200 varieties of Neofinetia falcata, with sizes ranging from 2 cm to 17.5 cm in height.
The species has a distribution associated with Northeast Asia, with a natural range covering China, Korea, and Japan. Initially classified in the genus Neofinetia, it has now been integrated into the genus Vanda following systematic revisions.
The protection status for this species is VU (vulnerable) according to the IUCN Red List.
Neofinetia falcata was initially discovered by Thunberg in southern Japan, growing on the hills near the port of Nagasaki on Kyushu Island, with its presence later confirmed on other Japanese islands (Honshu and Shikoku).
The valid synonyms for Neofinetia falcata are Aerides thunbergii, Angorchis falcata, Angraecopsis falcata, Angraecum falcatum, Finetia falcata, Holcoglossum falcatum, Limodorum falcatum, Nipponorchis falcata, Oeceoclades falcata, Oeceoclades lindleyi, Orchis falcata, Orchis fuciflora, Vanda falcata, Vanda pygmaea.
The species was first described by H.H. Hu in 1925, a renowned Chinese botanist (Hu Hsien-Hsu, May 24, 1894 – July 16, 1968) and an influential traditional scholar of his time, known as the father of botanical taxonomy in China and the initiator of modern botanical research. He initially studied in China at the Imperial University of Peking, but after the 1911 revolution, he traveled to the United States, where he graduated from the University of California, Berkeley. He returned to China, becoming a member and faculty at the Higher Normal School in Nanking, and later at the National Southeast University, which was renamed Central National University and Nanking University. He traveled again to the United States in 1923, where he earned a PhD in science from Harvard University. After the death of his wife in Nanking, he resigned from the Department of Biology at Southeast University and became a full-time researcher at the Biology Institute of the Chinese Science Society. He was a co-founder of the Fan Memorial Institute of Biology in Beijing in 1928 and founded the Lushan Botanical Garden in 1934, as well as the Yunnan Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, later renamed the Kunming Institute of Botany, under the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1938.
Although the Neofinetia falcata species was initially identified on Kyushu Island near Nagasaki port, the taxon was later found on the islands of Honshu, Shikoku, Yakushima, Tanegashima, Okinawa, and even in China and Korea.
Neofinetia falcata inhabits saxicolous habitats, growing on rocks, but also frequently epiphytic on the branches of deciduous trees, which gives the plants strong light exposure during winter and early spring. Due to its specific growth at a certain angle relative to the branch axis, rainwater cannot stagnate on the leaves or at their insertion on the stem. It prefers a relatively cool climate, reaching sizes of 6 – 15 cm.
Anatomically, it features a short stem, laterally compressed, with monopodial growth, basally covered by paired leaf sheaths, leathery, fleshy, linear-falcate, 5 – 10 cm long. Flowering occurs on racemose, axillary stalks up to 7 cm long, lax, which can bear 2 to 10 flowers per stalk. Flowering happens continuously from early summer until autumn, and the flowers are fragrant at night. The flowers are generally pure white, about 3 cm in diameter, with a posterior spur, curved, up to 3.7 cm long. The dorsal petal and the inner petals curve upward, while the outer petals curve downward and outward. The short trilobed labellum inserts relatively low on the dorsal spur.
The requirement for light radiation intensity for Neofinetia falcata falls within the range of 20,000 – 30,000 lux.
The optimal growth temperature for the “samurai orchid” targets average daytime values of 26 – 31 degrees, and 19 – 23 degrees for the night period. During winter, the range of average daytime temperatures will be at least 12 – 13, and at least 3 – 4 degrees at night.
Neofinetia falcata prefers high humidity levels, from 80 – 85% in summer, which can drop to 60-75% during the rest of the year.
As a growing medium for this species, there are multiple options. It can be successfully grown mounted on cork plaques, bark, or on specific beds made from sphagnum moss or osmunda fern roots. When mounted on plaques, frequent and abundant watering is recommended, especially in summer, to ensure the required high humidity. As a basic rule, watering should be done daily during the warm season. The recommended season for substrate change is either late winter or early spring. The recommended substrate and traditionally used is fresh or dried sphagnum moss, which will wrap the roots, and the thus formed package will be carefully placed in a pot, making sure the base of the plant rises above the pot edges. Although there is a possibility of damaging the thin roots during repotting, their removal is not recommended, as they have a high regeneration capacity as long as they remain alive and are not affected by fungi or bacteria.
Watering should follow the natural climate pattern, where the wet season with the most abundant rains occurs from spring to autumn. During this period, frequent and abundant watering will be necessary, without allowing the substrate to dry out between two successive waterings.
During the active growth period, plants will be fertilized weekly with a dilution of 25–50% of the manufacturer’s recommended dosage. Fertilizers with lower nitrogen and higher phosphorus content can be used in autumn to improve flowering quality for the next season and to invigorate new growth at the beginning of winter.
It is recommended to rinse the substrate thoroughly to prevent the accumulation of mineral deposits caused by excess unused fertilizer, which risks settling on the roots and causing burns.
The resting period, ensured during the cold season, will mainly focus on reducing water intake. For specimens grown in cold conditions, the reduction will be substantial, without allowing the substrate to dry out completely; in this regard, misting in the morning and occasional watering every 2 weeks is recommended. Watering should be done on sunny days with strong light. Fertilizer application will also be stopped during the resting period.
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