富貴蘭について – About “the green jewel” Fūkiran –

Fūkiran, being epiphytic orchids, grow naturally on trees in low mountains in the west of the Kanto region of Japan. Fūkiran is the Japanese elegant name for the cultivated variety of Neofinetia falcata, being of a genus with only one species. The cultivation of Fūkiran has a long history, originating in the Edo period. Tokugawa Ienari, the eleventh shōgun (military director) of the Tokugawa shogunate was believed to be a Fūkiran enthusiast, and the daimyō (federal lords) from all over Japan competed to search their domains for the rare varieties and offer them to the shōgun. The daimyō themselves also put so much effort in growing Fūkiran.

Fūkiran inside the Edo castle were covered by a gold or silver net, and people had to cover their mouths with Kaishi (a thin paper usually used for Japanese tea ceremony) in order not to breathe on the flowers while they appreciated them. It is also said that the daimyō often enjoyed the fragrance of Fūkiran hanging in their palanquins on their way to Edo.

The flower of Fūkiran, having a long history with Japanese traditional gardening, was chosen as the symbol to represent Japanese wild orchids at the 12th World Orchid Conference held in 1987. Since the International Garden and Greenery Exposition, 1990, Fūkiran have been exhibited at many international orchid shows and recognized widely among traditional gardening enthusiasts and the public. Fūkiran, being of such high value, used to be dealt with a high price among specialists, but now that many new kinds are produced because of advanced cultivation techniques, Fūkiran are available to the public.

Fukiran, being epiphytic orchids, are light (they are mounted on sphagnum moss not planted in soil), strong against dryness and unique because of their compact and shapely leaves. You can appreciate your collection of Fūkiran even at small places like a balcony, porch, and window. Speaking of orchids, we usually think of their big petals, but Fūkiran have a distinct fascination from other orchids and also provide years of enjoyment as their leaves and roots uniquely change over time.