Product Review

One of the most popular TV shows of the late 70s was The Six Million Dollar Man (also known as the Bionic Man) where "Steve Austin, astronaut, a man barely alive" was rebuilt with then-modern 1970s technology (heh) that would make him Better, Faster, Stronger. This orchid is the Bionic Man/Orchid of the orchid world. While the majority of its genes come from Neofinetia falcata (aka the mighty Samurai Orchid), it gets some seriously bionic genetics from the Rhynchostylis genus that makes this hybrid BETTER, STRONGER, and FASTER. BETTER: The Bionic Orchid is bigger and easier to grow than Neofinetia. It flowers easily, and can bloom multiple times per year. One of my plants flowered THREE times in one year! The leaves are bigger, and the fans/growths grow taller, meaning they can make more new fans/growths as well as flower spikes. STRONGER: Much more robust than Neofinetia falcata. While Neofinetias are more easily stressed, Darwinara's super strong genetics seems to eat stress for breakfast. FASTER: It simply grows faster than its Neofinetia parent, sprouts new shoots more rapidly, and blooms more frequently. And, like Neofinetia, the flowers are fragrant! It is very easy to grow this hybrid. Its roots are strongly aerial, and it will do well in a well-draining media, such as chunky orchid bark mix, and even better mounted on cork bark. Sphagnum moss is excellent as well, although you will want to keep it loose around the roots. In reality, this orchid will be fine grown without any potting media! Water twice per week with water low in mineral content, and fertilize twice per month. Avoid direct sun; bright shady conditions are excellent. Keep temps above 40 F, and in hot conditions, water more frequently. Misting is fine, too. This plant is so strong, it's hard to go wrong!