Fugaku 富嶽 - Where does it fit in?

[Orchid_Tapestry]

Hello, Newbie here to your Neo community. I've tried to search, but did not find the answer. Hope I'm not doubling up on a question.

I'm wondering where Fugaku 富嶽 fits into the neofinetia species? I was shocked, as I read others were that it's not registered.

I've read it's used to cross with other varieties to make other variations and I'd believed that other varieties came from it such as FUGAKU-HOU 富嶽宝

Is it a generalized variegated variety as the Korean Amami Shima 奄美縞 appears to be?

[Shoreguy]

Great variety but no idea where “it fits in”.

Here’s mine.

[Orchid_Tapestry]

Hello Shoreguy,

I suspect there is hardly a neo collection that doesn't include one or more. It certainly is a beloved variety.

[MattWoelfsen]

Fugaku is an appealing variegated Neofinetia.

[Hakumin]

Originally Posted by Orchid_Tapestry

I'm wondering where Fugaku 富嶽 fits into the neofinetia species? I was shocked, as I read others were that it's not registered.

Fugaku is pure Neofinetia falcata.

The main reason it is not registered is probably because there are already existing registered varieties that look similar to Fugaku.

Registration with the Japan Neofinetia Association is very different from how orchids are registered in the western orchid world. To be considered for registration, a variety must be unique in its characteristics compared to the other registered varieties. Just because a plant is pure Neo and is popular doesn't mean it will be registered, and currently there is a maximum limit of 4 new registrations per year, resulting in the committee being extremely selective of which registration applicants make the cut.

Originally Posted by Orchid_Tapestry

I've read it's used to cross with other varieties to make other variations and I'd believed that other varieties came from it such as FUGAKU-HOU 富嶽宝

Yes, because Fugaku's variegation very easily transmits to its seed grown offspring, even when crossed with other Neo varieties, it is a popular variety to use as the pod parent when crossing neo varieties.

In addition to that, yes, certain particularly unique selfed seedlings of Fugaku have also been separately named like the Fugakuho you mention.

Originally Posted by Orchid_Tapestry

Is it a generalized variegated variety as the Korean Amami Shima 奄美縞 appears to be?

Fugaku is a specific variety and the name will apply only to the original Fugaku as well as any seed grown offspring of Fugaku that carry the same variegation as that original parent.

Amami-Shima however is a descriptive name that can be given to any Amami plant that has shima variegation. While all Fugaku will be genetically related to the first Fugaku through divisions or seed propagation, any plant that can be genetically traced back to a plant from the Amami Islands, that develops shima variegation can be called Amami-Shima.

Typically though, if a specific strain of Neo that goes by a generic name like Amami-Shima becomes popular or is somehow exceptional, it'll be given a unique name at some point.

[Orchid_Tapestry]

Thank you so much Hakumin for the explanation.

Thanks Matt & Guy for your input as well...