There have been rumors that a true yellow Neofinetia falcata is not possible - all yellow Neofinetias are a product of hybridizing with an Ascocentrum - probably Asctm. garayi, possibly A. miniatum or A. aurantiacum or even some other yellow flowered monopodial orchid.

We can find no evidence that this has happened, and all yellow flowered forms should be treated as the species Neofinetia falcata.

If you look at the flowers and plant habit of the hybrid Ascofinetia Twinkle, you will notice a that it falls in between the 2 parents. It will carry 12 to 20 flat flowers, a short nectary spur, and has thick leaves similar to those of the Ascocentrum parent.

All of the yellow Neofinetias we have flowered have five to eight flowers in the standard Neofinetia flower shape, long nectary spurs, and thin leaves. None have shown any Ascocentrum influence.

Yellow Neofinetias like Ogonmaru are highly fragrant, several have even won the fragrance competition at the Tokyo Grand Prix. Ascofinetia Twinkle and Peaches have very little to no fragrance.

Could there have been a number of selective backcrosses with Neofinetia to have the plants appear to be all-Neo? Possible, but highly unlikely. It would take a number of generations. Many Furan growers in Japan also feel that Neofinetia should be kept pure, and not crossed with any other type of orchid.

Several forms of yellow Neofinetias have also been found in the wild. They range from a very pale yellow to a bright canary yellow. Could these be a natural hybrid with another related orchid? Possible, but they would also exhibit signs of another orchid in their habit and flower.

This information has been confirmed by members of the All Nippon Fukiran Society in Japan at their meetings, and in a talk with Dr. Eric A. Christenson.