Growing Macodes sanderiana and other Jewels?

[Forever-mango]

Hello all,

I have been facinated by the Macodes sanderiana and the jewel orchids. I currently have a Macodes sanderiana growing in potting mix which i keep indoors under a humidity tray and next to my aquarium (so it gets sunlight and artifical lighting). I have been researching and i see many people growing them in moss and under very high humidity.

My question is, what is the best medium to have them in, and how can i increase humidity for them? I got heaps of spare aquariums i could use for a terrarium or something like that. I have also ordered 2 flasks of Macodes Petola and Macodes sanderiana for my first experiment.

Hope you can help me out
Stephen

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I would grow them in what you have them in now, but make sure the drainage is excellent.

Sphag is not always the most ideal potting media for certain terrestrial orchids.

[Steverino]

Originally Posted by Forever-mango

Hello all,

I have been facinated by the Macodes sanderiana and the jewel orchids. I currently have a Macodes sanderiana growing in potting mix which i keep indoors under a humidity tray and next to my aquarium (so it gets sunlight and artifical lighting). I have been researching and i see many people growing them in moss and under very high humidity.

My question is, what is the best medium to have them in, and how can i increase humidity for them? I got heaps of spare aquariums i could use for a terrarium or something like that. I have also ordered 2 flasks of Macodes Petola and Macodes sanderiana for my first experiment.

Hope you can help me out
Stephen

Hi, I’m a JO nut, Macodes sanderiana is one of my favorites. There’s many kinds of potting mixes that will work well the common denominator is well drained, I use a mix of sphagnum moss, coconut fiber, fir bark and small pieces of charcoal, on a larger plant I will add some peat. When they’re very small with tender roots I grow mine in sphagnum alone and they do just fine.

Like most JO’s high humidity is very important 75% – 80%is ideal. Going much over this could create fungus problems. They love to be misted with very fine distilled water 2 or 3 times a day. Absorption through the foliage exceeds the roots especially with young plants. I foliar feed at 1/2 strength once every week to 10 days and feed the roots about once a month at 1/4 strength. Be careful with too much light as it will bleach the leaves and you will lose some of their beautiful color.