Neofinetia falcata

Late March 2015.  Purchased this on my second visit to the Flower Show this year. Originally called a neofinetia but now a vanda - possibly a Vanda Lou Sneary x Vanda coerulea.  Has the same amazing fragrance as the white one!

Early March 2015. Lots of new growth in the roots - hopefully that means it's gearing up to produce flowers again soon!

Late May 2014.  It's now six spikes and the flowers on the first spike are now opening...

All the flowers now open on the first spike:

May 2014.  The flowers are beginning to emerge - 4 stalks so far!  Maybe I will be able to identify the orchid at last!



Possible ID - Neofinetia falcata (日本風蘭)! Japanese orchid... will wait for flowers to open to get confirmation... Very interesting growing conditions though:

"N. falcata usually grows as an epiphyte on the branches and trunks of deciduous trees. This means the plants receive high levels of light during the months of winter and early spring (2000~3600 fc.), an important factor in the number of blooms produced. The orchids grow at angles to their branches, which allows water to drain away quickly after rains, thus avoiding bacterial rot. Numerous whitish roots grow from base of the plant, anchoring it to its base and collecting nutrients washed down from above. These roots are accustomed to excellent air movement. An adult in an optimal situation will produce numerous offsets.

Within N. falcata's range summer temperatures average between 26-31C. during the day and 18-23C. at night. Average humidity is 80-85% in summer, and about 75% during the rest of the seasons. Plants receive heaviest rainfall during East Asian rainy season: June and July in southern Japan. Blooming time is usually synchronized with the monsoon, although plants may very occasionally bloom as late as December." (Wikipedia)

The spurs are growing longer day by day and buds are turning whiter... this is exciting!

November 2013.  Purchased from a street side stall.... no idea what it's called!  It didn't seem to do very well out in the cold so I brought it indoors during the coldest weather.  As the weather began to warm up, it started to grow roots in great number!  I'm hoping that is a good sign and that it will produce some flowers so that I can identify what it is...

March 2014 - profuse growth of roots!

March 2014 - another angle showing the profuse growth of roots!