Neofinetia Orchid Care

Neofinetia orchids have tails that resemble Samurai swords.

The Neofinetia orchid, more commonly referred to as the Japanese wind orchid or the Samurai's orchid, is a flowering plant native to the islands of Japan. The flower is defined by pure white blooms with a long white tail attached just below where the bloom and the stem attaches. A culturally important plant in Japan, the orchid is a popular houseplant in the United States.

Planting

Proper planting is the first aspect to caring for the Neofinetia orchid. Plant your orchid in soil consisting of mostly peat moss and other organic materials such as fir bark. Purchase a quality, well draining orchid soil for the Neofinetia orchid from a nearby gardening specialty store. Japanese wind orchids should be repotted on average, every two years, or when its roots are coming out from the bottom or top of the pot. Placing mulch at the base of your plant will help the soil retain moisture.

Lighting

In the wild, the Neofinetia grows on the sides of trees, receiving medium amounts of light. This lighting needs to be duplicated in the home for the orchid to properly grow. Place in an area that receives medium light. A window seal that receives the early morning or evening sun is ideal. If growing under florescent light conditions, keep the orchid at least 7 inches below the light; if placed too close to the lamp, the plant will die. In the United States, the orchid grows well outside in the late spring and summer months. If growing outside during these months, place under filtered sunshine.

Watering

The Neofinetia, during the spring and summer, requires constant moisture. Water two times per week with collected rain or distilled water. Using artificially softened water can harm the root system. Do not over water. If the soil appears to be drenched or you see a presence of sitting water, do not water until the soil dries out slightly. Misting the leaves and flowers will provide additional moisture to the plant and help to raise the humidity level around it.

Winterizing

Neofinetia, unlike many other orchid species, can tolerate temperatures as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant goes dormant in the winter and the roots and leaves stop growing. During the winter months, it is important to winterize your plant. Reduce light intensity and watering amount. The plant is not growing, overwhelming the dormant orchid with light and water could stunt its growth in the spring.

Fertilizing

Fertilizing is an important aspect of the Neofinetia orchid care. Use a fertilizer specially formulated for orchids. Using another fertilizer type could cause damage to the plant. Follow the labeling instructions implicitly. Most fertilizer types recommend monthly fertilizer applications. Over fertilizing can burn the roots and leaves of the plant.

References

• Beautiful Orchids: Orchid Care Tips
• Orchid Lady: Japanese Wind Orchid