Although the long cultivation of orchids generally accustoms us to hybrids of complex origin, often multigeneric, in the case of the species Neofinetia falcata we are dealing, paradoxically, with a botanical species that has been cultivated for approximately 400 years.

The first documentation of the cultivation of this species belongs to the Kanbun era (1661 - 1673), in medieval Japan, but the habit of growing these miniature vandeae gained significant popularity in the Edo period, when a significant diversification of the available varieties was also noted.

Possession and growth of orchids The jawed neophyte was a predominant attribute of the daimyo (Japanese nobles) and wealthy samurai, which is why the species is also known in Japan as Fuukiran (fuuki = rank, wealth, social status), and later, in the rest of the world, like the "samurai orchid". The culture of this species becomes so rooted in Japanese society and to such an extent associated with a high social status, that the presentation of a valuable and special specimen could constitute the motivation for granting domains and properties to the respective person. Beyond the fact that the possession of such plants was allowed only to the ruling class, the complex etiquette that dominated medieval Japanese society led to the creation of a set of rules of conduct including for the events during which the exhibited specimens were viewed. Thus, for example, during the viewing of the orchids that belonged to the shogun, the visitors were obliged to cover their mouths with paper, and the plants were protected by screens, to prevent their contamination including by the breath of those present. Up to now , over 2200 varieties of Neofinetia falcata are known, with variable sizes, from 2 cm to 17.5 cm high.

The species has a distribution associated with North-East Asia, with a natural range covering China, Korea and Japan. Initially, it was included in the genus Neofinetia, but now, following systematic revisions, it has been integrated into the genus Vanda.

The protection status for this species is VU (vulnerable) in the IUCN Red List.

Neophinia falcata was initially discovered by Thunberg in the south of Japan, growing on the hills near the port of Nagasaki, on the island of Kyushu, and its presence was later confirmed on other islands of Japan (Honshu and Shikoku).

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 HH Hu in 1925, a renowned Chinese botanist ( Hu Hsien-Hsu , 24 May 1894 – 16 July 1968) and an influential traditionalist scholar of his time, known as the father of botanical taxonomy in China and initiator of research modern in botany. He initially studied in China, at the Imperial University of Peking, but after the revolution of 1911 he traveled to the United States of America, where he graduated from the University of Berkeley in California. He returns to Chida, where he becomes a member and teaching staff of the Higher Normal School of Nanking, and later of the South-East National University, which changes its name to the Central National University and the University of Nanking. He traveled again to the United States of America, in 1923, where he obtained the title of doctor of sciences at Harvard University. After the death of his wife in Nanking, he resigned from the Department of Biology of the Southeast University and became a full-time researcher at the Institute of Biology of the Chinese Society of Sciences. He is a co-founding member 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, within the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1938.

Although initially the species Neofinetia falcata was identified on the island of Kyushu, near the port of Nagasaki, the taxon was later found on the islands of Honshu, Shikoku, Yakushima, Tanegasima, Okinawa, and even in China and Korea.

Neofinetia falcata populates rocky resorts, growing on stones, but also frequently as epiphytes, on the branches of trees with deciduous leaves, an aspect that gives the plants a strong exposure to light during winter and early spring. Due to the specific growth, at a certain angle to the axis of the branches, 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, the short stem, laterally compressed, with monopodial growth, basally covered by the sheaths of conduplicated, coriaceous, fleshy, linear-jawed leaves, 5-10 cm long, is noteworthy. Flowering takes place on racemose, axillary stems, up to 7 cm long, lax, which can bear 2 to 10 flowers per stem. Flowering occurs constantly from early summer to autumn, and the flowers are fragrant at night. The pure white flowers, generally 3 cm in diameter, have a posterior, recurved spur, up to 3.7 cm long. The dorsal and inner petals are recurved superiorly, while the outer petals are recurved inferiorly and outwards. The short trilobate labellum is inserted relatively inferior to the dorsal spur.

The light radiation intensity requirement for Neofinetia falcata is found within the range of 20,000 - 30,000 lux.

The optimal growth temperature of the "samurai orchid" targets values ​​of 26-31 degrees as average daytime values, and 19-23 degrees for the night period. During the winter, the range of average daytime temperatures will be at least 12-13 degrees, and at least 3-4 degrees at night.

Neofinetia calcata prefers high humidity values ​​of 80-85% in summer, which can drop to 60-75% in the rest of the year.

As a culture medium for this species, the options are multiple. It can be successfully grown mounted on cork, bark plates, or on specific beds made of sphagnum moss or osmunda fern roots. When mounting on tiles, it is recommended to ensure frequent and abundant irrigation, especially during the summer, to ensure the necessary high humidity. As a basic rule, watering will be done daily during the warm season. The recommended season for changing the substrate will be either late winter or early spring. The substrate recommended and at the same time traditionally used is fresh or dry sphagnum moss, which will cover the roots, and the package thus formed will be carefully positioned in a pot, making sure that the base of the plant rises above the edges of the pot. Although there is a possibility of injuring the thin roots during replanting, it is not recommended to remove them, as they have a high capacity for regeneration, as long as they remain alive and are not affected by fungi or bacteria.

Irrigation will have to respect the natural climate model, when the wet season, with the most abundant rains, takes place from spring to autumn. During this period, frequent and abundant irrigation will be used, without allowing the substrate to dry between two successive waterings.

During the period of active growth, the plants will be fertilized weekly with a dilution of 25-50% compared to the dosage recommended by the manufacturer. Fertilizers with a lower nitrogen and higher phosphorus content can be used during the fall, to improve the quality of flowering for the following season and to invigorate new growth at the beginning of winter.

It is recommended to rinse the substrate abundantly to prevent the accumulation of mineral deposits due to the excess of unconsumed fertilizer, which risks depositing on the roots and causing them to burn.

The rest period , ensured in the cold season, will mainly aim at reducing the water intake. For specimens grown in cold conditions, the reduction will be substantial, but without allowing the substrate to dry completely, in this sense, spraying in the morning and occasional watering at 2-week intervals are indicated. It is recommended to administer irrigation on sunny days, with strong light. During the resting period, the administration of fertilizers will also be stopped.

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