Here are some more pictures of fuukiran at shows I’ve been to in the past couple years. All of these plants are valuable either due to their size (and therefore, age) and/or rarity. Fuukiran shows are a joy to experience in person. I hope these pictures give you an idea.
First up is a large Tamakongou, the most well known of the “bean leaf” varieties of fuukiran. This plant is not only large, but has many flowers, something I find a bit difficult to do with this form. My plants grow into clumps fairly quickly, but are a bit shy about flowering as well as this specimen.
Kinginrasha is one of the more interesting fuukiran. The plant is relatively small, but is generous with its blooms. This specimen is showing off very nicely both white and golden flowers at once, hence in its name kin = silver and gin = golden. Not rare, but a plant this size carries great value.
Shikoku Akabana (akabana meaning “red flowered”) is another purple flowered variety, but is not an accepted fuukiran. It is however a lovely form that is generous about flowering, but clumps slowly. This specimen is a large one and therefore valuable.
One of the rare three spurred varieties of fuukiran is Hanakanzashi. It is both rare and expensive. Each flowering sized growth is worth more than a $100US.
Probably the most wanted Neofinetia falcata these days is Hanamatoi. This specimen, with three large flowering sized growths is worth some serious cash. In fact, the plant was divided into three separated growths. The largest was sold for a cool $2000US, and the other two have $1500 price tags on them. Hmm…I love fuukiran, but eating is more important!
Finally, a grand-daddy among fuukiran specimens, is this odd flowered form called Tennyonomai, a relative of Shunkyuuden, but more rare. This multigrowthed plant is over 25 cm wide and represents more than two decades of growing.
I am looking to buy this red form Neofinetia Hanakanzashi and it’s white counter part. Do you know any sources in the USA that I might be able to buy a mature plant from?
Chuck, I don’t know really. Check out New World Orchids or Orchids Limited – both companies might have a plant for sale. Be warned, they won’t be cheap. Even in Japan a single subadult fan can fetch $100, more if it is flowering size.
Chuck,
Seed Engei frequently has the white 3 spurred neofinetia Manjushage available at auction.
Recent winning bids have ranged from approximately $175 to $300 for mature plants with confirmed 3 spur flowering.
Additional information. Make sure the listing states that the 3 spurred flower is confirmed. Otherwise you may end up with a normal flower. Selfing a 3 spurred flower doesn’t generally result in 3 spurred offspring.
Dear,
Could you please give the difference between the Beni Kanzashi form and the Hana Kanzashi one ?
I thought that the main difference was the dark/purple tsuke found on the Hana Kanzashi form but on NWO website, I found a Beni Kanzashi with a dark/purple tsuke as well.
Is the color of the root tips the only difference ?
Thank you.
Hi Aissa,
The differences between Hanakanzashi, Benikanzashi, and Oiran are difficult to pin-point. I have only seen the latter two in person and I grow Oiran. I know that Benikanzashii and Oiran are seedling selections of Shutennou. My Oiran all have purple colored petiole bases, and honestly I haven’t looked at their root tips carefully while in growth. I’m imagining they must be ruby tipped like their progenitor. Interestingly, their three spurred attribute is highly variable season to season – apparently a result of nutrient variations and to some extent the age of the plant. I’ve seen ones with one, two, and three spurred flowers blooming all at once however, so go figure!
Tom