We all Know About Neofinetia Falcatas, Did You Know There Are Other Neofinetia

[MattWoelfsen]

In another thread, Jayfar described another species of Neos called Neofinetia Richardsiana. This was started as a result of an eBay vendor offering this plant up for bidding.

This intrigued me so I started looking around on the Internet and came across Wikipedia's description of three Neofinetia species: (1) Falcata, (2) Richardsiana, and (3) xichangnensis.

Is there anyone here that can provide insight on Richardsiana and xichangnensis? Anybody know where one can acquire these other plants?

[Jayfar]

You know I was reading a scientific journal article just last night that someone had linked from one of these forums, which described the morphology of each of the 3 Neofinetia species, but now I can't find the link. I'll look for it in my browser history when I go back to work this evening.

And just a pedantic btw, don't forget to not capitalize the species name richardsiana.

[LinhT]

There are a couple of OB members who have those plants and have been growing them for a few years. Delawarejim and lambelkip. If they don't reply here you can PM them. Otherwise you can do a search here and their threads will show up.

[lambelkip]

I've had all 3 species before. I still have falcata and xichangensis. For richardsiana, try contacting Louisiana Orchid Connection. they sell them on ebay from time to time, and might have one.
I've only seen xichangensis come up for sale once, so I'm not sure where you could find one.
All 3 species are now classified as Vandas.

[MattWoelfsen]

I just sent an email to Dr Lehr to see if he knows about theses species. I clicked on the link you provided Lamb. Nice website. Their plants are reasonably priced. They don't have any of these other Neofinetia species. But they have Neofinetia hybrids. I keep seeing Neostylis Lou Sheri plants, what's the story about these?

[rangiku]

Neostylis Lou Sneary 'Bluebird' is white and blue and 'Blue Moon' is light to medium blue. The plant is bigger than a Neo but much smaller than a Vascostylis. Grow them just like Neos, but I believe they can flower twice a year. Also fragrant during the day as well as night.

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by Jayfar

You know I was reading a scientific journal article just last night that someone had linked from one of these forums, which described the morphology of each of the 3 Neofinetia species, but now I can't find the link. I'll look for it in my browser history when I go back to work this evening.

Found it:

http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/P...Neofinetia.pdf

Also, I've seen it stated in several references that taxonomists aren't settled on whether xichangnensis is a species or a larger variant of richardsiana. Wikipedia has a note to that effect :

Neofinetia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(There is some controversy on whether N. xichangnensis is a good species, or just a large form of N. richardsiana.)

---------- Post added at 07:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:35 PM ----------

Originally Posted by lambelkip

I've had all 3 species before. I still have falcata and xichangensis. For richardsiana, try contacting Louisiana Orchid Connection. they sell them on ebay from time to time, and might have one.
I've only seen xichangensis come up for sale once, so I'm not sure where you could find one.
All 3 species are now classified as Vandas.

They trade on ebay as laorchidjohn and they had a richardsiana mounted on Louisiana hardwood earlier this month. Alla from this board won it. I had intended to bid in the final minute, but got distracted by a shiny object.

Neofinetia Richardsiana | eBay

[MattWoelfsen]

This is a fascinating subject. I'm learning a lot. I got a reply email from Glenn Lehr/New World Orchids, he has two plants that is believed to be Neofinetia richardsiana it is named "Shisen" "From China". I bought the two growth plant. He has one more plant with a single growth.

[Craig Gibbon]

Hi Matt,

With regards to Neofinetia's that are currently in cultivation as Neo xichangensis, it is my opinion that they are no more than the chinese form of Neo falcata. As far as I am aware, no Neo xichangensis are in general cultivation.

I too bought a plant labelled as Neo from china possibly N xichangensis, but when it flowered, it turned out to be N falcata. I still have the plant. See here for a photo: Welcome to Flickr!
As well as here: Welcome to Flickr!

What confused me at first with this plant was the fact that it had untypical N falcata traits that we are accustomed to. The plant tends to have folded leaves that are quite curved downwards. It also tends to flower a bit earlier than the Japanese clones. The flowers are also very heavily scented and smell more Gardenia like. The sepals and tepals are also slightly different and seem to be a bit wider than the Japanese plants. The spur however is the average length that one would expect with Neo falcata and are in no ways the length as cited by the description of N xichangensis.
One must remember that Neofinetia falcata does occur over a large geographical area and one would expect to see variation within a species.
My Korean wild clone of N falcata is also quite different to the Japanese form of the species, with the plant being larger on average with larger flowers too, it also tends to flower a month later than my other Neo's. The spur length on this clone is also fantastically long. It is however still a Neo falcata. See here:Welcome to Flickr!

I do have a nice clump of Neo richardsiana that I am hoping will flower this season as it looks like it is making spikes!

Regards,

Craig Gibbon

[MattWoelfsen]

Hello Craig! Thank you for sharing your observations about these two other Neofinetia. I have been scouring the Internet for a plant Neof. xichangnensis but none seem to be available. Even the observations from variety of sources indicate a dearth of knowledge. Neofinetia richardsiana seems to be one plant or two but not with the same variety as Neof. falcata. I have this Neof. richardsiana--it is very small and has a long way to grow before I can ever hope to see a flower.

Nice pictures of your blooming Neofinetia!