"Common name: Wind orchid ... Neofinetia falcata is... native to Japan, Korea and China and has been cultivated in these countries since the late 1600s. It is treasured by the Japanese and sometimes referred to as the Samurai orchid; there are legends of the samurai carrying their plants into battle with them. ... a diminutive plant with stiff 2- to 3-inch leaves arranged in a tight fan shape. The 1-inch flowers are pure white and star-shaped with a curved nectary or spur... and have a sweet jasminelike fragrance that will fill the room in the evening. ... Neofinetia falcata is propagated from seed or by separating the fanlike growths as they develop into clumps. Selected varieties have been propagated by the Japanese for hundreds of years...
Neofinetia falcata is easily grown indoors or outside on a windowsill or in a greenhouse. It grows best with bright light (1,500-2,000 foot-candles), and temperatures ranging from a minimum of 45 to a maximum of 90 degrees. They are best grown in small pots with fine fir bark or New Zealand sphagnum moss, and should be repotted every year when new roots appear. In Japan, Neofinetia falcata is planted in sphagnum moss that is mounded and sculpted well above the top of the pot to accentuate the beauty of the plants as well as the flowers. When exhibited, they are placed in beautifully decorated and glazed pots designed for them. Neofinetia falcata likes to dry slightly between waterings and should be fertilized every two weeks with a 20-20-20 fertilizer. ... Neofinetia falcata is not generally prone to attack by insects, but if present in the growing area, mealybug and scale will feed on the leaves. Slugs and snails will eat the new roots and developing flower buds. ... In Japan, Neofinetia falcata is known as Fuukiran, or the 'rich and noble orchid,' and its varieties are grown mainly for their foliage. The plants are judged for their variegated foliage, color at the base of the leaves, leaf shape and even color of the root tips. While selected varieties of Neofinetia falcata can cost in the hundreds of dollars, plants are readily available for $20 to $30... Seed Engei, a nursery from Japan specializing in Neofinetia falcata" source : http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/16/HON112T222.DTL *************** Regards, VB _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
