Vanda falcata 御城覆輪 (Gojou-fukurin)

This variety, 御城覆輪 (Gojou-fukurin),  is a medium sized Vanda (Neofinetia) falcata.  The leaves are relatively straight and does not curve down too much, so the leaves look spreading up.  Because of this leaf shape, it gives an impression of masculine beauty.  The color of marginal variegation is white, but there are some variations, probably due to the culture.  It has Doro-jiku (brown/purple stem/base of the leaves), and the tips of the roots are green (Ao-ne).  Tenkei-fukurin (天恵覆輪), derived from Gojou-fukurin, has yellow fukurin and the width of the variegation is generally wider (i.e. the green part seems to be narrower).  Gekkeikan (月桂冠) is also derived from Gojou-fukurin and the newer leaves have white fukurin, but becomes yellow as the leaves age.  There is also a rare variety, Tenjou-nishiki (天城錦), derived from Tenkei-fukurin, and it has small, needle (narrow) leaves.

This is a fairly old variety, discovered more than 150 years ago (1861-1864).  The history of this variety is given in Horiuchi (1995).  A professional plasterer found it on the stone wall (ishigaki) of Matsusaka castle in Mie Prefecture. Later, it was passed to Mr. Shibuya (渋谷) of Nyuu village (多気郡丹生村, the book says 飯南郡, but it was probably a mistake, the current Taki-chou, 多気町).  It was originally called Masamune (正宗) with kata-fukurin (half marginal variegation, one side of a leaf has he marginal variegation, but the other side doesn't).  But when it changed into complete shiro-fukurin (white marginal variegation), the name was changed to Gojou-fukurin (御城覆輪); the first part means "castle", indicating that it was originally collected from a castle.

I feel like the color of variegation of my plant became a little more creamy/yellowish under my care.  I'm not sure how much the culture influence the color, but Horiuchi (1995) mentioned that the variegation of Tenkei-fukurin (天恵覆輪) becomes more intensified (I assume it means more yellow) under stronger light.  So, I might try a bit weaker light in the future.  The following photo shows how it looked about 4 years ago when I received it from Seed Engei in 2015.  You can see that it is a robust grower.  It is a beautiful variety, but due to the vigor, it is very common, and many people consider it as a beginner variety.

Spring 2015, when I received them from Seed Engei.  From left to right: 建国 (Kenkoku), 朝日殿 (Asahiden), 御城覆輪(Gojou-fukurin), Dendrobium moniliform 燕丸白覆輪 (Tsubamemaru-shiro-fukurin)

The marginal variegation of this variety is very stable.  But new growth may produce a bit different patterns.  I've seen the first couple leaves which were Nakafu (white is inside, and the margin becomes green) or nearly Yuurei (ghost, meaning completely white).  But they usually goes back to the typical fukurin (marginal variegation).

Literature Cited:

• Horiuchi, K. 1995. 堀内 一博(著),  富貴蘭―230種の特徴と楽しみ方 (ポケットカラー事典), 三心堂出版社 (translation: Author: Kazuhiro Horiuchi, Title: Fuukiran: features of 230 varieties and how to enjoy them, Publisher: Sanshin-dou).
• Taguchi, M. 1987. 田口 源夫(編著), 富貴蘭―趣味のラン科植物シリーズ 2. 池田書店  (translation: Author/Editor: Motoo Taguchi, Title: Fuukiran, Orchids for Hobbyists Series Volume 2, Publisher: Ikeda-Shoten)