Neofinetia falcata – Fu-ran, the Japanese Wind Orchid - This plant can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. In the spring and summer, daytime temperature should be 70º F or above, with a 10 to 15 degree difference at night. During winter months, day temperatures below 65º F are preferred. Neofinetia falcata will tolerate winter temperatures in the upper 30’s! Neofinetias bloom mostly from spring through fall. The inflorescence may have from three to 15 flowers. Most forms have white flowers with a long nectary/spur. They will last from one to two months, and are extremely fragrant both day and night. There are also pink, green, cherry-red, and yellow-colored forms, as well as those with variegated leaves and different growth habits.
Light: Neofinetias prefer medium light levels, (1500 – 3000 foot-candles). If you are growing under fluorescent lights, keep the plants about 6″to 8″ from the tubes. Under high-intensity lamps, grow approximately 4 feet from the fixture. This plant can be grown on windowsills, given an east, south, or west exposure. Plants may be grown outdoors in the summer with filtered sunlight.
Humidity: 40 to 60 percent. Use humidity trays or a small room humidifier when growing on windowsills.
Water: Use clean water, such as rainwater, distilled or reverse osmosis water if possible. Flush the plant regularly, especially if using municipal or well water. Never use artificially softened water. Let the plants dry out between watering. Use ample water in spring and summer while the plants are in active growth and in flower, reducing quantities during cooler winter days.
Fertilizer: Use a balanced fertilizer year-round, preferably urea-free. If using rain, distilled or reverse osmosis water, add some municipal or well water to supply the necessary calcium and magnesium. Fertilize very lightly every other watering during the growing season, once a month during the winter rest period.
Repotting: Preferably done in the spring and early summer, every two years. Either clay, plastic or net pots or wood baskets will work. Sphagnum - Use a good-quality, long-fibered sphagnum moss, place the root ball over a small amount of moss or a foam peanut. Wrap the root ball loosely but securely in sphagnum moss, so that the plant does not wobble. Keep the base of the plant higher than the rim of the pot. Plants can be similarly planted using osmunda fiber. When growing in a basket, line the basket with a thin layer of sphagnum or coconut fiber to keep the mix from falling through the slats. Plants may also be mounted on cork or tree fern plaques, or on wood branches like oak, sassafras, etc. You can mount the plants with a little sphagnum or osmunda to help keep them moist. If kept humid, some growers plant Neofinetias on rocks with live moss.
