Ludisia discolor care

[Arizona Jeanie]

I had some difficulty getting Ludisia cuttings to root and grow--I'm on the third try, and for awhile it would drop an old leaf for every new one that grew. But, my little plant is finally starting to look good, adding leaves and clearly well rooted. My problem is that it's in a six inch plastic bulb pan, and the two stems that are doing well are on opposite sides of the pot, and seem to be trying to crawl on out, with no stems in the middle--just the original, rooted but unbranched, stolons. Sorry, I don't have a camera. So, do I re-pot in a larger bulb pan, or is there something I can do to encourage some sprouts off the stolons in the bare middle? This is the only non-phal I have, and I'm starting to admire its looks, so would appreciate any advice about culture and care.

[Orchid Whisperer]

L.d. is one of my favorites.

Mine always throw out shoots from beneath the soil as well as along the stem above the soil. So, your bulb pan should fill in eventually.

I say "soil" because, as terrestrials, mine do well planted in African violet potting soil. I fill whatever well-drained plastic pot I'm using with an inch or 2 of inert drainage material (styrofoam chips, etc.), Another inch or 2 of fine or medium bark, then on top of that, African violet potting soil. Try to keep moist (not soggy) and keep it with low light plants such as Paphiopedilum. I fertilize occasionally, but not regularly. Mine has 4 spikes developing now.

[Bud]

My orchid plant is in bud once again, I don't know how many spikes I will get this year, but I will post pictures when they open its blooms.
I want you to look at my thread for this plant and you will notice how I kept on posting through the years and kept records of its development. I hope my culture and care will work for you even if we are not of the same zone.

Ludisia discolor (Black Jewel orchid) in bloom

[Evendozen]

I am growing one as well. Was doing well and sending out new shoots. Then the lower leaves turned yellow yikes ! The stem broke off as I was moving it. Yep it was rotting . They advise keeping the soil moist but I have learned to let the soil surface dry before watering. I did cut back to.healthy tissue and replanted the main stem and root section after treating with Physan and new medium. New growth has started in a short time.

[Ray]

I've always grown them in sphagnum....

[Evendozen]

Originally Posted by Ray

I've always grown them in sphagnum....

I have some spagnum in my planting mixture with perlite and potting soil. I use spagnum to root begonia leaves with never a rot problem. Also add some to my bark medium and top dress orchids .

[Arizona Jeanie]

Bud, thanks for the link--good info and pictures, I'm encouraged to carry on.
After reading all of the above, I think I'll leave it in the six inch pot for now, and give it some time to fill in the middle. I filled the bottom of the pot with river-run rocks, about and 1-1/4 inch diameter, then topped it with "terrestrial orchid mix" from repotme. Humidity is generally low here, so I put a light layer of sphagnum on the surface. I placed the cuttings horizontally, just barely covered. They struggled for quite a while, but are finally looking better. They do seem to drop the lower leaves, but the stems and upper leaves look healthy. I had tried before to root cuttings by sticking them straight down into the mix, those just rotted.
The Ludisia is getting basically the same treatment as the Phals--this time of year they're under the plant light in the house, temps in the high 60's, water once a week, weekly/weakly fertilizer and monthly pot flush. Phals are all spiking now, it should be a good year for flowers. The Ludisia leaves are beautiful, maybe next season I'll get some flowers there too. Thanks for all the replies, I find it really helpful to hear from people successfully growing a plant that's new to me!

[Evendozen]

From what I have read Ludisia needs more warmth than phals. After mine had stem rot I moved it to a warmer area it apparently likes it as new growth is starting. It sits over wet gravel on a heat mat.