Starting a Jewel Orchid from a cutting: Advice wanted

[Cathryn]

Hey!
Cat here with even more questions. (Many thanks to the advice I got on my last post about Phals and root rot.)

Recently got a very healthy cutting from a Jewel Orchid from a coworker. It has about 5 leaves.
I didn't really know how to get it to start rooting, so here's what I did:

Dipped the wet end in some No. 1 stim root powder

Mixed bark, charcoal, and some starting mix (Peat moss and some kind of light soil)

Planted it, gave it some water

Set it up on a self in the bathroom where it gets low light and lots of humidity.


I've left it alone for about 4 days now and its hasn't done much of anything. I took it out and looked at it today. It has no roots but a couple of small nodes starting close to the bottom of it. Did I do something wrong or am I just being impatient? I've heard things about just starting it in water. Should I have done that? What's the best way to get this little guy going?



Before and after photos! Thanks for the advice!

[Wild Orchid]

I never had one, so can't help there.

Found this website that also recommends rooting it in water.
Tips to Grow Jewel Orchids | Orchid Flowers

I'l be interested to see what others suggest.

Good luck!
WO

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I take it it is Ludisia discolor. Those nodes may be roots, idk. It's preferable to post a photo so that it is easier to advise.

Ludisia discolor is a terrestrial orchid that is found in tropical Asian rainforests.

The roots are brown and are usually fairly short and fleshy. They like some air going to the roots, so an airy mix is recommended. Ludisia discolor will generally not produce a ton of roots, so don't stress out if you only see something on the order of 5 roots or less on the cutting.

Maybe have some potting soil (preferably without any additives or fertilizers), and mix it with some perlite and wood chips. But go light on the potting soil. It should be able to drain.

Grow intermediate to warm.

Bright shade.

Moderate to high humidity, (this species is tolerant of low humidity compared to many other Jewel Orchids).

[Cathryn]

Thank you, it is a Ludisia discolor. I'll take it out of the mix and see if I can re pot it tonight. I'll take some pictures and post them as well. Maybe this water thing will work better.

[RosieC]

I tried one over the last few months after a piece fell off my Ludisia discolor.

I put the cutting in a glass of water (leaves above the water, stem section going down into the water). I put fertiliser and seaweed extract in the water (seaweed is a root stimulant). I left it there... changing the water occasionally when it got yucky.

Several weeks later there is what I think is a tiny root starting, but it could be a good 6 weeks before it started. Initially all I noticed was that this cutting was stronger than the one left lying on a table with nothing done to it.

I've previously tried just sticking them in the medium, after use of a rooting compound and it didn't work. One of our members told me then about putting it in a glass of water instead.

I can't be certain mine is going to make it yet, but it's looking hopefull and I currently have it still in the water.

---------- Post added at 01:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:23 PM ----------

Forgot to say that many powdered rooting compounds are too strong for Orchids and can actually inhibit rooting as a result. I have used MSN in the past which is good for orchids, but have found seaweed has given me the best results.

[quiltergal]

I've started several cuttings in a vase of water. It takes a lonnnnnng time for roots to start, so be patient.

[ImperialExotics]

Best way to root a Jewel Orchid is to wrap it in Sphagnum moss that is moist, but not wet.

Place in small pot and seal it inside a container. If you want to go really cheap, put the pot inside a ziplock bag and stick it in the window, preferably one that gets decent sun, but not full on bright sunlight. This makes a mini greenhouse of sorts.

Ludisia tend to grow like weeds when properly cared for, and they root easily.

[syspila]

I agree. Ludisia discolor is not a fast grower but the rootless stalk placed horizontally across damp spaghnum, all in a smallish ziplock bag roots them in a few weeks, plus you get more than one growing node. I don't use any rooting compound at all...Of all the orchids I have, L discolor never fails to bloom and grow, and grow, and grow!!!

[LadySoren]

Hi all, reading this bc I just got one of these orchids- are you guys saying to lay the fleshy bottom piece on/in the soil and then zip lock it all, leaves too, or just ziplock the pot up to under the leaves so the leaves and stuff are sicking out getting air while the soil etc gets humidity? thanks!

[kindrag23]

@LadySoren that is what I am getting from this. MY TINY FLASKLINGS are in some sphag in a net basket in a pyrex bowl. In a ziplock bag in a bright window but not to bright. With a crack in the zippy bag for fresh air flow.