Although the long-standing culture of orchids generally familiarizes us with hybrids of complex, often multigeneric 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 was also observed.
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 culture 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 that person. Beyond the fact that possession of such plants was allowed only to 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 through the breath of those present. To this day, over 2200 varieties of Neofinetia falcata are known, 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. It was initially classified in the genus Neofinetia, but currently, following systematic revisions, it has been integrated into the genus Vanda.
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 the island of Kyushu, 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 traditionalist 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 traveled to the United States of America, where he graduated from the University of California, Berkeley. He returned to China, where he became a member and faculty of the Higher Normal School in Nanking, and later of the National Southeast University, which changed its name to the National Central University and the University of Nanking. He traveled again to the United States of America in 1923, where he obtained a doctorate in sciences at 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 Society of Sciences. He was a co-founder member of the Fan Memorial Biology Institute in Beijing in 1928 and founded the Lushan Botanical Garden in 1934, as well as the Agriculture and Forestry Institute in Yunnan, later renamed the Kunming Botanical Institute, within the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1938.
Although the species Neofinetia falcata was initially identified on Kyushu Island, near Nagasaki port, the taxon was later found on the islands of Honshu, Shikoku, Yakushima, Tanegasima, Okinawa, and even in China and Korea.
Neofinetia falcata inhabits saxicolous stations, growing on rocks, but also frequently epiphytic, on the branches of deciduous trees, a feature that provides the plants with 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 the sheaths of the paired leaves, coriaceous, fleshy, linear – falcate, 5 – 10 cm long. Flowering takes place on racemose, axillary stalks, up to 7 cm long, lax, which can carry 2 to 10 flowers per stalk. Flowering occurs continuously from early summer until autumn, and the flowers are fragrant at night. The flowers, generally pure white, about 3 cm in diameter, have a posterior spur, recurved, up to 3.7 cm long. The dorsal petal and the inner ones are recurved upwards, while the outer petals recurved downwards and outwards. The short trilobed labellum inserts relatively below the dorsal spur.
The requirement for light radiation intensity for Neofinetia falcata is found within the range of 20000 – 30000 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 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 values, of 80 – 85% in summer, which can drop to 60-75% during the rest of the year.
As a growing medium for this species, the options are multiple. It can be successfully grown mounted on cork plaques, bark, or on specific beds made from sphagnum moss or osmunda fern roots. When mounting on plaques, frequent and abundant irrigation is recommended, especially during the summer period, to ensure the required high humidity. As a basic rule, watering should be done daily during the warm season. The recommended season for changing the substrate is either late winter or early spring. The recommended substrate and also traditionally used is fresh or dried sphagnum moss, which will wrap the roots, and the thus formed bundle will be carefully placed in a pot, making sure that the base of the plant rises above the edges of the pot. 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.
Irrigation 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 applied 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% compared to 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 abundantly to prevent the accumulation of mineral deposits caused by excess unused fertilizer, which risks settling on the roots and causing burns.
Dormancy period, ensured in the cold season, will mainly focus on reducing water supply. For specimens grown in cold conditions, the reduction will be substantial, without allowing the substrate to dry out completely; in this regard, spraying in the morning and occasional watering every 2 weeks is recommended. Irrigation should be administered on sunny days with strong light. Fertilizer application will also be stopped during the dormancy period.
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