Neofinetia is a typical Japanese orchid, which is officially classified under the genus 'Vanda' these days. Neofinetia is named after the French botanist Achille Eugène Finet.
In Japan, Neofinetia is admired not only for its flowers but also for the leaves of the plant. They believe that enjoying the beauty of this orchid throughout the year is the key to successful growth and care.
Neofinetias are generally summer bloomers, and many of them are fragrant orchids. That's why these orchids are highly sought after by enthusiasts of unique and rare orchids.
The history of the Japanese Neofinetia orchid
The beautiful orchid was kept as a blooming houseplant in Japan as far back as the 15th century. Another name for this rare orchid is the Samurai Orchid, but it's also known as the Wind Orchid or Furan/Fūkiran.
Fūkiran orchids were previously kept by the nobility and wealthy Japanese. In Japanese, this means 'the orchid of rich and noble people.' These plants were traditionally admired by, for example, using Kaishi (a thin paper) to cover the mouth, preventing breathing on the plant.
In the past, the price of this special orchid in Japan was equivalent to a house with a large garden. However, with globalization, the price has dropped significantly. This allows orchid enthusiasts with smaller budgets to enjoy this beautiful wonder.
Starting from 1920, Japanese associations were established in honor of Neofinetia. Events and exhibitions were held in Osaka for these beautiful orchids. Many plants were lost during the war, but thanks to the perseverance of the old members of the associations, many were also preserved.
