Ludisia discolor care help, please

[VickiC]

I agree...there must have been a computer glitch...but whatever the case, thanks again for your help, King...my plant seems to be doing fine, so far.
Vicki

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

There must've been a computer glitch, I didn't know you asked me a question VickiC.

Ludisia discolor can be grown in soil. It can also be grown in moss.

I just thought it be an easier choice for you, since you did the bark and perlite thing already. Mixing a bit of potting soil with the bark and perlite will do no harm.

As for growing in moss, there's really not much to say, it's self explanatory. Same rule of growing in a pot size big enough for the roots to snuggly fit inside applies. Keep evenly moist, and allow to dry out completely between waterings.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

FYI, if you try the sphagnum moss method, use New Zealand moss. It takes longer to break down. It looks better than the cheap ones from China or Taiwan. It'll save you money in the long run by allowing you to repot infrequently.

Trust me, I've used New Zealand moss and the other crap. I'd put my money on New Zealand moss any day.

[VickiC]

Thanks for the tip, King...I didn't know there was a difference in sphagnum moss types, so now I've learned one more thing to add to my list of Orchid knowledge (which by the way is a very short list lol)
Vicki

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

FYI, if you try the sphagnum moss method, use New Zealand moss. It takes longer to break down. It looks better than the cheap ones from China or Taiwan. It'll save you money in the long run by allowing you to repot infrequently.

Trust me, I've used New Zealand moss and the other crap. I'd put my money on New Zealand moss any day.

[ellerda]

I just received a Ludisia Discolor. I live in Boulder, Colorado, so it sounds like I should water more often. O is it just that the soil will dry out quicker so I will end up watering more.

Also, I received it at my office. Are florescent lights OK, of should I take it home for bright shade?

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Ludisia discolor is a "Jewel Orchid". It is a terrestrial.

Grow like a potted house plant. There are potting soils of all sorts you can use. I like the organic kind with the mycorrhizal fungi included. Since you've got it potted in a mix of your own, I suggest adding a little organic mulch to the mix.

Put in a pot that's just big enough to snugly fit the root mass. This prevents overwatering and root rot.

Keep evenly moist. Allow it to dry out between waterings.

Grow in shade or bright shade.

This species is much more forgiving with humidity than the rest of the "Jewel Orchids", but it should be around 60% at the very least or higher (the higher, the better).

Flowers are about 1/4" and white on a 8"-10" upright inflorescence with about 10 - 15 flowers.

Moderate air circulation is fine.

[JackiBlu]

I have one myself growing in potting soil mix. I handle it like I do all my terrestrial shaded plants/hanging baskets. I didn't know it would grow in moss, but I prefer the regular potting mixture. I was told to treat it like a Wondering Jew plant.

It is doing just fine.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by ellerda

I just received a Ludisia Discolor. I live in Boulder, Colorado, so it sounds like I should water more often. O is it just that the soil will dry out quicker so I will end up watering more.

Also, I received it at my office. Are florescent lights OK, of should I take it home for bright shade?

I see you've found an old posting of mine regarding Ludisia discolor.

Unfortunately, I was mistaken about it's culture at the time.

I stand corrected and I will give you my more up-to-date understanding of this plant.

Ludisia discolor is a lithophyte not a true terrestrial.

That's right...it grows on porous rocks with moss on top (the rocks are either volcanic or limestone, don't know exactly which). The rocks are usually situated on or near rivers or streams. These streams or rivers are in forests. It's shaded, but it's "bright shade". Keep in mind these forests are not steaming hot houses. It's pretty intermediate in temperature and appears to be pretty comfortable for a person to just hang out for a while. It's humid, but I imagine it'd be around 60% - 80% (in my opinion, it should be fairly easy to accommodate the humidity).

I can verify this. Unfortunately, I don't remember what the link to a picture of a Ludisia discolor growing in nature was. The in-situ pic of the Ludisia discolor was on a Thai website and was taken by a nature lover.

You can do a Google image search of "Ludisia discolor in-situ" and you'll find it.

The growing on a rock with moss on it would account for the short and rather sparse root system and the long rhizomes between growths.

I apologize if I've spread any misinformation and please take the new information to heart.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Ahhh!!!

Found the link!

http://idisk.mac.com/shutcha/Public/...scolor_3_s.jpg

http://idisk.mac.com/shutcha/Public/...discolor_s.jpg

It's hard to see the rock. But it's there.

Hope this is of help.

I wish you well and happy growing.

[Steverino]

Hi All, Ludisia discolor is one of the easiest Jewel Orchids to grow. As others have said there are many combinations of mixes to use the key is good drainage, they like to stay moist but soggy I use a mix of sphagnum moss, bark, coconut fiber and small charcoal pieces.

They should be kept in low light, room temperature and humidity between 75% – 80%. They can handle humidity as low as 50% but the higher the better. They’re an ideal terrarium plant.

They love to be misted with a very fine mist of distilled water a couple times a day. Watering with distilled water is ideal too.

Since they grow very slow they don’t need too much fertilizer. Foliage feeding at 1/2 strength about once every 2 weeks and fertilizing the potting mix about once per month at about ¼ strength.

Consider growing other Jewel Orchids as well there’s many great varieties. Some varieties are challenging but very rewarding.

[RosieC]

I'm actually starting to question the whole low light thing on these.

Went to my Mum's just over a week ago and she had the Ludisia I bought her for Christmas in a large east window, in a room with a very large south window not far away (it's overall the brighest room in the house).

While my Ludisia (bought at the same time) has done nothing, hers is covered in new growth shoots.

Ok, hers has noticably lost some colour... but it seems to be loving the light otherwise.

[Steverino]

I can sense your feelings, I grow a lot of plants not just Orchids and I’m used to window growing with good light. It took me much experience to learn that the Ludisia discolor and many other JO’s I have the golden rule is low light.

The loss of color your Mom is experiencing is exactly what happens when they get too much light and sad to it will get worse.

I think the real beauty in the Ludisia discolor is the deep burgundy color and velvet leaves. It is the hardiest of the Jewel Orchids thus will tolerate fairly broad growing conditions but there is no doubt you will realize a more beautiful Ludisia in the long run under low light. Some people have good luck in their bathrooms and kitchens with very little light.

You might try another in low light and compare the difference.