Vanda falcata aka Samurai Orchid

Vanda falcata is an orchid. It belongs to the family Orchidaceae. Its native range starts in China. It extends into the temperate parts of eastern Asia. Kew calls it a subtropical epiphytic subshrub. An epiphyte grows on trees, not in ground soil. This plant uses tree trunks and branches for support. Gardeners call it the Japanese wind orchid. It also has the names Neofinetia falcata and Angraecum falcatum. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

Its small white flowers have long, curved nectar spurs. Their sweet scent brings coconut to mind. Each flower cluster, or inflorescence, holds three to 15 flowers. The show of blooms can last up to two months. Chicago Botanic Garden lists its bloom months as January through April. The same profile says it has a creeping growth form. The sources give no height or spread for this species. Nor do they give much detail on leaves or fruit.

Chicago Botanic Garden says it is fairly easy to grow. Its care text calls for medium light. Yet the same profile has a full-sun label. The more precise care text supports medium light when growing it. The text gives night temperatures near 60°F. It calls for days in the mid-70s. The moisture entry says to keep it moist. The profile lists USDA hardiness zones 9–12. It gives no potting mix for this species. Nor does it say how often to water it.

This orchid has a long history in Japanese plant culture. Chicago's account links it to the ruling shogun and samurai. It says that only samurai could once grow it. This past gave rise to the name samurai orchid. Its Japanese name, fuh-ran, means an orchid of the winds. The account dates its use as a Japanese houseplant to the 1600s. Carl Peter Thunberg brought it west from Japan in 1784.

The white blooms and scent give it value for display. Chicago lists its use in beds and borders. It also says the plant draws butterflies. This alone does not show how its flowers receive pollen. The accounts name no pests or diseases for this species. They give no evidence on which parts one can eat. Nor do they say if it is toxic. Neither account supports its use as food or medicine.