Neofinetia xichangensis

[Roly0217]

And here was I thinking that there was only Neofinetia falcata. I've got to get some other species in my collection.

[DelawareJim]

Originally Posted by Roly0217

And here was I thinking that there was only Neofinetia falcata. I've got to get some other species in my collection.

Rolando;

There are 3 species; N. falcata, richardsiana, and xichangensis. The last 2 are fairly newly discovered and hard to find.

Cheers.
Jim

[s.kallima]

You are very lucky to have one of these! It is very interesting to see it and I am sooo envious!!!

[DelawareJim]

If I'm seeing correctly, the interesting thing about the flowers is it appears to have the shorter sepals like richardsiana and a longer nectar spur like falcata.

Cheers.
Jim

[lambelkip]

Jim, you're right, except that the spur is not nearly as long as falcata. If the flower was a little farther out of the foliage, it would be more obvious. falcata has a spur that's about as long as the pedicel, while xichangensis has a spur about half as long
The fragrance is slightly different, too (still only strong at night).

[DelawareJim]

Hmmmm that's interesting about the fragrance. So far neither of my richardsianas have any fragrance I can detect. The Chengdu plant didn't last year either, but I'm still attributing that to being young plants.

Cheers.
Jim

[lambelkip]

that's odd - xichangensis is often reported as having no fragrance, while richardsiana is supposed to have a strong fragrance at nght. The time of day can have a huge difference in fragrance. Are you growing yours indoors or out? maybe there's not enough of a difference in day/night temperatures to bring out the fragrance.

[LinhT]

Do you think this one is any harder or easier to grow and bloom than falcata? Or is it about the same...

[lambelkip]

It's about the same. I keep it in the same conditions as my other neos.

[Neodex]

Very interesting. I have a richardsiana that blooms early and yes it's good to have an early bloomer. I also have a Beniotome which I believe is a hybrid and it blooms in October/November ... but for some reason I also struggle with neo hybrids ?

Thanks for posting ... I was wandering about the difference between the Chinese species.