New Growth on Sobiryuu 双尾龍

Neofinetia falcata variety ‘Sobiryuu’
(aka ‘Soubiryuu’ and ‘Sobiryu’)
( in Japanese: 双尾龍 )
This healthy miniature Japanese orchid plant is sprouting new growth as shown here in these photos taken today. I hope at least one of the sprouts
highlighted below will turn out to be a flower spike. This plant’s special feature
is its fragrant flowers which are white and have two spurs and two lips
(most Neos have only one of each). I find the overall form of this variety to be pleasing, and the blush of reddish color near the root tips is a nice bonus too.
Don’t forget to expand the photos for a more detailed view.

Ludisia

The pictures aren’t very good.
I’m feeling a bit out of sorts, and my camera isn’t cooperating either.
The flowers, however, won’t wait, so here’s what’s in bloom today:
Ludisia discolor var. nigrescens ‘Ambrosia’ x self.
This is what’s commonly known as a Jewel Orchid.
It’s usually grown for its beautiful foliage rather than the small flowers it bears,
but this one is unusual because its flowers are highly fragant.
The scent is quite similar to the fragrance of citrus tree blossoms.
It’s an easy-to-grow terrestrial which thrives quite well in terrariums.
I rather like it.

Syutenno in Spike

Seven budded flower spikes adorn this lovely pink
Neofinetia falcata variety ‘Syutenno’

I’ve had this plant for many years. It came from New World Orchids.

Ootakamaru in Spike

Neofinetia falcata variety Ootakamaru is in budded spike again…

Ootakamaru Spike 1

Ootakamaru Spike 2

Rare Neos

Neofinetia falcata is the orchid species I primarily grow. This plant is highly prized in Japan where it has been cultivated and developed for centuries. More and more people around the world in recent years have taken up collecting and cultivating the many named varieties of this one species of orchid plant. Some varieties are more highly prized than others, and some varieties are very rare. These plants can be exceedingly expensive and very difficult to find. Showcased here are five beautiful rare varieties of Neofinetia falcata from my collection.
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This one is called Sengaku which translates to “Sacred Mountain” or “Immortal Peak”. This plant measures about 2 inches (5.1cm) across and about 1 inch (2.5cm) high. The leaves have a pebbly texture to them and the plant sports a very nice mountain tsuke (the junction between the leaf and the central stem is pointed). Here is an example online of Sengaku. This variety is very rare. The white flowers are small and usually borne singly on short spikes. They face upwards and have an insignificant or nondiscernable spur and an atypical shape which looks like a tiny double tulip. The fragrance is slight and often there are small extra floral parts along the pedicel which are white, green and pink. This is a photo of my plant:

Sengaku

The next plant is called Surusumi which translates to “Making Sumi Ink” (Sumi ink is used in Japanese calligraphy). Note this plant’s texture and markings. It measures 3.25 inches (8.3cm) across and 2 inches (5.1cm) high. It is not sick. It is supposed to look this way. The flowers are of standard form for the species and white in color, sometimes tinged with green. Another rare plant with an appearance similar to Surusumi is Shigyoku.

Surusumi

I’m showing this next plant because I am so excited about the flower spike which it has initiated. I am hoping it will develop and bloom, but since the plant is young, the spike may simply dry up and die. The plant is called Hanakanzashi and it is very rare as well. This plant’s exciting feature is its flowers. They are pink with three spurs. Here is an example of how the flowers will look when this plant blooms: Hanakanzashi. I think they look like little devils.

Hanakanzashi

Featured next is a young plant of the rare and highly prized variety named Houmeiden. This variety is ranked high on the Meikan Chart which is part of a very strict Neofinetia falcata judging system used by the All Nippon Fűkiran Society of Japan. Houmeiden features a slightly rough texture on the broad, uniformly shaped leaves, a pleasing growth form and habit, and an awesome creamy white coloration at the top of the plant. The root tips are delightfully pink as well. The fragrant flowers are white, of standard form, and tinged with pink. Here is an example of a mature Houmeiden.

Houmeiden

Last but not least is the lovely variety called Tensyou. This smallish plant’s typical shape is reminiscent of a pincushion full of pins. It forms an attractive three inch (7.6cm) spikey clump. The clump will get bigger over time, but each plantlet within the clump will stay fairly small. The horizontal tsuke is mildly wavy, which is a very nice feature, and the flowers are simply fantastic. They are white tinged with pink and the spur protrudes from the center of the flower. Here is an example of an in-bloom Tensyou

Tensyou

All of these plants were procured in Japan for me by Dr. Glenn Lehr
of New World Orchids.

Spikes

Neofinetia falcata variety ‘Kikuotome’ is getting ready to bloom again. One spike already has buds, and the other spike is just beginning to form. This is the same plant shown here. I will post more photos once the flowers are open.
Happy Sunday!