Vanda falcata
Vanda falcata, also known as 风兰 in Chinese, 풍란 in Korean, 風蘭 in Japanese, or the wind orchid in English, is a species of orchid found in China, Korea, and Japan. It was formerly classified in the genus Neofinetia.
Named cultivars selected for characteristics including variegation, flower color or form, and vegetative form are often referred to as 富貴蘭 in Japan. Due to these highly variable mutant forms this species has been proposed as a model organism for floral development in orchids.
Description
Plants are 8–12 cm tall on monopodial stems of 1–6 cm. There are usually between 4 and 20 narrowly oblong-falcate leaves of 5–12 cm. that are leathery and sheathed at the base. The inflorescence, including flowers, is 5–8 cm. long, suberect, and carries as few as two, and as many as 10 fragrant, white flowers, each with a characteristic curved spur. 2n = 38.
Ecology
Vanda falcata grows as an epiphyte on the branches and trunks of both deciduous and evergreen trees, and occasionally as a lithophyte on rock cliffs and man-made stone walls. Numerous whitish roots grow from the base of the plant, anchoring it to its host or substrate and collecting nutrients washed down from above. These roots are accustomed to excellent air movement. An adult in an optimal situation will produce numerous offsets.
Within V. falcata's range summer temperatures average 26–31 °C. during the day and 18–23 °C. at night. Average humidity is 80–85% in summer, and about 75% during the rest of the seasons. Plants receive heaviest rainfall during East Asian rainy season: June and July in southern Japan. Blooming time is usually synchronized with the monsoon, although plants may very occasionally bloom as late as December.
Pollination
Vanda falcata has been reported to be pollinated by several hawkmoth species of the genus Theretra, namely Theretra japonica and Theretra nessus.
Taxonomy
Taxonomic history
The type specimen was introduced to the West from Japan by Carl Peter Thunberg in 1784, and it was described as Orchis falcata. For the next hundred years and more, the species was renamed and moved in and out of many of the Asian sarcanthoid genera, in addition to the African genus Angraecum. Finally, in 1925 H. H. Hu created Neofinetia as a monotypic genus. Two other species were included in Neofinetia, before the genus was reduced to synonymy with Vanda.
Horticulture
History of cultivation
Written records of V. falcata cultivation first appeared in Gao Lian’s The Anthography during the late Ming Dynasty China. In Japan, the first documented records of V. falcata appear during the Kanbun era, later reaching a peak in popularity during the middle of the Edo period with a marked increase in the number of cultivated varieties. At this time, because the numerous cultivated varieties of the species were primarily enjoyed by the daimyō and other wealthy or high ranked citizens, the cultivated varieties were given the designation of fūkiran, translating to "orchid of wealth and rank".
Culture
Vanda falcata is a warm to cool grower. Plants may be mounted on slabs of cork or tree-fern fiber. In Japan, the custom is to grow them on a raised mound of sphagnum moss. The plants benefit from a cool, bright winter rest, and frequent watering when in growth.
Hybrids
Most hybrid names are now obsolete, as several genera were reduced to synonymy with Vanda.Aeridofinetia Hiroshima Choice — Aerides flabellata × Neof. falcata, M.Kobayashi 1995Aeridofinetia Pink Pearl — Aerides jarckiana × Neof. falcata, E.Iwanaga 1961Aeridofinetia Tiny Tim — Aerides falcata × Neof. falcata, W.K.Nakamoto 1966Aeridofinetia Suzuka Pearl — Neof. falcata × Aerides houlletiana, S.Katsuta 2007Ascofinetia A. F. Buckman — Neof. falcata × Ascocentrum christensonianum, A.Buckman 2008Ascofinetia Emly — Ascofinetia Peaches × Neof. falcata, E.Siegerist 1982Ascofinetia Color Burst — Neof. falcata × Ascocentrum Sidhi Gold, L.Soule 2006Ascofinetia Cherry Blossom — Neof. falcata × Ascocentrum ampullaceum, E.Iwanaga 1961Ascofinetia Furuse — Neof. falcata × Ascocentrum pumilum, H.Furuse 1979Ascofinetia Kaori — Neof. falcata × Ascofinetia Cherry Blossom, I.Mochizuki 1990Ascofinetia Lion Star — Neof. falcata × Ascocentrum Sagarik Gold, L.Stern 1984Ascofinetia Peaches — Neof. falcata × Ascocentrum curvifolium, E.Iwanaga 1962Ascofinetia Twinkle — Neof. falcata × Ascocentrum miniatum, Rev.M.Yamada 1960Ascofinetia Yellow Fuuran — Neof. falcata × Ascocentrum sp., O/U 2000Chrisnetia Green Light — Christensonia vietnamica × Neof. falcata, Ching Hua 2008Cleisofinetia Rumrill Cameo — Cleisocentron pallens × Neof. falcata, J.Rumrill 1987Darwinara Charm — Neof. falcata × Vascostylis Tham Yuen Hae, Takaki O.N. 1987Darwinara Fuchs Cream Puff — Neof. falcata × Vascostylis Five Friendships, R.F.Orchids 1995Darwinara Pretty Girl — Neof. falcata × Vascostylis Jim Snider, Takaki O.N. 1989Dorifinetia Little Cherry — Dorifinetia Pilialoha × Neof. falcata, Takaki O.N. 1989Dorifinetia Pilialoha — Doritis pulcherrima × Neof. falcata, Mr/Mrs H.Starke 1975Jisooara Jisco — Rhynchofadanda Porchina Blue × Neof. falcata, R.Perreira 1987Hanesara Golden Beauty — Neof. falcata × Aeridachnis Bogor, J.Hanes 1977Luinetia Rumrill — Neof. falcata × Luisia teres, J.Rumrill 1975Mizunoara Pololei Sunset — Neof. falcata × Kagawara Christie Low, Haiku Maui 2005Nakamotoara Blanc — Ascocenda Charm × Neof. falcata, Rev.M.Yamada 1965Nakamotoara Cherry Hill — Neof. falcata × Ascocenda Aroonsri Beauty, M.Sato 1990Nakamotoara Dainty Delight — Ascocenda Ophelia × Neof. falcata, Rod McLellan Co. 1980Nakamotoara Joyce Hands — Neof. falcata × Ascocenda Blue Boy, G.Hands 2007Nakamotoara Peach Mist — Neof. falcata × Ascocenda Karnda, Arnold J.Klehm 1997Nakamotoara Thai Surprise — Ascocenda Peggy Foo × Neof. falcata, R.Griesbach 1996Nakamotoara Rainbow Gem — Neof. falcata × Ascocenda Flambeau, Takaki O.N. 1989Nakamotoara Selsal's Baby Blue — Neof. falcata × Ascocenda Blue Eyes, J.& I.Sellés 1995Nakamotoara Wendy — Neof. falcata × Ascocenda Meda Arnold, W.K.Nakamoto 1964Neofadenia Ucho — Neof. falcata × Seidenfadenia mitrata, S.Ichijyo 1984Neoglossum Rumrill Dilly — Neof. falcata × Ascoglossum calopterum, J.Rumrill 1989Neograecum Conny Röllke — Neof. falcata × Angraecum scottianum, Röllke Orchzt. 1990Neosedanda Purity — Vandirea Takagi × Neof. falcata, J.Rumrill 1980Neosedirea Summer Stars — Neof. falcata × Sedirea japonica, H.Furuse 1979Neostylis Baby Angel — Neof. falcata × Neostylis Lou Sneary, Takaki O.N. 1989Neostylis Dainty — Neof. falcata × Rhynchostylis retusa, Elliott Flynn 1965Neostylis Lou Sneary — Neof. falcata × Rhynchostylis coelestis, Hajime Ono 1970Neostylis Pinky — Neof. falcata × Rhynchostylis gigantea, M.Kobayashi 1990Parafinetia Crownfox Twinkle — Paraphalaenopsis serpentilingua × Neof. falcata, R.F. Orchids 2009Phalanetia Anna Bettencourt — Neof. falcata × Phalaenopsis Veitchiana, Bettencourt 1988Phalanetia Hoshizukiyo — Phalanetia Irene × Neof. falcata, T.Morie 2002Phalanetia Irene — Neof. falcata × Phalaenopsis equestris, Y.Sagawa 1975Phalanetia Koibotaru — Neof. falcata × Phalaenopsis schilleriana, T.Morie 2000Phalanetia Pacifica — Neof. falcata × Phalaenopsis Chieftain, W.K.Nakamoto 1964Renanetia Bali — Renanthera Brookie Chandler × Neof. falcata, E.Iwanaga 1962Renanetia Sunrise — Neof. falcata × Renanthera imschootiana, Sak.Takagi 1967Robifinetia Rumrill Vanguard — Robiquetia spathulata × Neof. falcata, J.Rumrill 1982Rumrillara Salome — Rumrillara Rosyleen × Neof. falcata, J.Rumrill 1979Sanjumeara Luke Neo — Neof. falcata × Perreiraara Luke Thai, T.Orchids 1994Vandofinetia Aspenwood Elf — Neof. falcata × Vanda Ben Berliner, I.Cohen 1985Vandofinetia Baby Star — Neof. falcata × Vandofinetia Pat Arcari, Takaki O.N. 1989Vandofinetia Blaupunkt — Vanda coerulescens × Neof. falcata, J.Lindstrom 1986Vandofinetia Kelly's Cloud Catcher — Neof. falcata × Vanda Sally Roth, K.Hurley 2009Vandofinetia Little Blossom — Neof. falcata × Vanda Miss Joaquim, Sak.Takagi 1967Vandofinetia Nago Blue — Neof. falcata × Vanda Trevor Rathbone, E.Tamaki 1996Vandofinetia Nara — Vanda Patou × Neof. falcata, Kirin Brew. 1992Vandofinetia Oriental Beauty — Neof. falcata × Vanda Rothschildiana, Takaki O.N. 1987Vandofinetia Oriental Star — Neof. falcata × Vanda Little Blue, Takaki O.N. 1989Vandofinetia Pat Arcari — Vanda coerulea × Neof. falcata, Hajime Ono 1970Vandofinetia Premier — Neof. falcata × Vanda lamellata, Rev.M.Yamada 1960Vandofinetia Red Tide — Neof. falcata × Vanda Mystic Queen, Lauralin 1989Vandofinetia Snow Dance — Vanda Pissamai × Neof. falcata, Suphachadiwong 1984Vandofinetia Sweet Petite — Vanda Mimi Palmer × Neof. falcata, B.Thoms 1994Vandofinetia Venus — Vandofinetia Premier × Neof. falcata, J.Rumrill 1984Vandofinetia Virgil — Neof. falcata × Vanda cristata, Highland Trop. 1992Vandofinetia White Crane — Vanda sanderiana × Neof. falcata, Exotic Orchids 2006Wilkara Didit Finally — Asconopsis Irene Dobkin × Neof. falcata, C.Wilk 2003