Orchid sp. from Borneo?

[TJ_Burton]

Saw these photos on google and instantly fell in love - hoping that I can get species names and possibly a referral to where I might find them available in North America.

I figured if anyone would know, it would be an orchidboard member!

[dangerouseddy]

they look like different varieties of Ludisia discolor (Jewel Orchids).

I think they're fairly popular so shouldn't be too hard to find, cant help much with that living in the uk though.

hopefully somebody from north American can point you in the right direction.

[vjo]

Yes they are ' jewel orchids' and shouldn't be to difficult to find.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

They are collectively called "Jewel Orchids". Some of the ones pictured are relatively easy to find. Others are harder to find.

I am not the greatest at discerning these orchids down to the species level often because some species look very similar to each other superficially and some species have a good amount of leaf pattern or leaf color variability, but I do recognize a few of the genera.

A few photos clearly depict orchids in the genus Nephelaphyllum.

Others are in the genus Cheirostylis.

Yet others belong to either Dossinia or Anoetochilus, (not entirely sure which orchids in the photos are Dossinia and which are Anoetochilus, some of them look similar to each other).

I'm kinda on the fence as to whether I also see a species of Malaxis in one of the photos or if it is another species of Cheirostylis.

Of the genera mentioned, Cheirostylis and Nephelaphyllum are difficult to find on a regular basis.

While I don't personally see any orchids in the genus Ludisia represented in the photos you posted, if this is a genus of orchids you are interested in, they are also considered a genus of "Jewel Orchid".

Another genus of "Jewel Orchid" worth mentioning is the genus Macodes. In my estimation, I do not believe I see any Macodes in the photos, but they are really cool too.

The flowers on most of these orchids are not showy. Some are to some degree, but most of them are not. These orchids are usually sought after for their foliage not their flowers. Some of them have veins that look like electricity is passing through them, (whether electricity is really passing through the veins, it needs to be tested out, because it could be electrical pulses or it could be how the light reflects off the plant's cells).

Btw, plants have been scientifically shown to be able to generate electrical impulses between cells kind of like how our neurons work to some degree.

I don't know whether you intend to grow them or not, but here are some general cultivation guidelines just in case:

These orchids tend to have relatively short roots compared to some other orchids. The roots do have some relatively limited amount of photosynthetic abilities. Jewels are either lithophytic or grow semi-terestrially, (in leaf litter), on the forest floor. In general, most species do not tolerate being completely dry for extended periods of time. Their roots also need good aeration to prevent root rot in the long run. The light requirements are bright shade to the low end of moderately bright indirect light. Temperature ranges that these orchids do well in, are generally intermediate to warm temperatures, (50 F - 90 F). In general, maintaining proper relative humidity levels is important for some of these orchids; try to to keep relative humidity levels at around 50% - 80% and you'll be fine.

Most people grow these as either mini-greenhouse plants or as terrarium/vivarium plants.

As a side note, some of the above mentioned orchids might have dormancy periods. I know some species of Malaxis goes through a dormancy. I believe orchids in the genus Cheirostylis goes dormant as well, if I'm not mistaken.

This may be a long message, but your deceptively short question needed to be answered this way in order to be accurate to some degree.

[TJ_Burton]

Phillip,

Thank you!
Your answer was exactly what I was looking for. I am not well versed in jewel orchids despite have a couple basic ones that I keep as house plants; I was having a hard time finding the genus names that these particular orchids would belong to.

I had a feeling they would be difficult to track down, if they are available at all. I personally like foliage more than flowers in most cases, so they really play to my interests.

Thanks again!

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

They are collectively called "Jewel Orchids". Some of the ones pictured are relatively easy to find. Others are harder to find.

I am not the greatest at discerning these orchids down to the species level often because some species look very similar to each other superficially and some species have a good amount of leaf pattern or leaf color variability, but I do recognize a few of the genera.

A few photos clearly depict orchids in the genus Nephelaphyllum.

Others are in the genus Cheirostylis.

Yet others belong to either Dossinia or Anoetochilus, (not entirely sure which orchids in the photos are Dossinia and which are Anoetochilus, some of them look similar to each other).

I'm kinda on the fence as to whether I also see a species of Malaxis in one of the photos or if it is another species of Cheirostylis.

Of the genera mentioned, Cheirostylis and Nephelaphyllum are difficult to find on a regular basis.

While I don't personally see any orchids in the genus Ludisia represented in the photos you posted, if this is a genus of orchids you are interested in, they are also considered a genus of "Jewel Orchid".

Another genus of "Jewel Orchid" worth mentioning is the genus Macodes. In my estimation, I do not believe I see any Macodes in the photos, but they are really cool too.

The flowers on most of these orchids are not showy. Some are to some degree, but most of them are not. These orchids are usually sought after for their foliage not their flowers. Some of them have veins that look like electricity is passing through them, (whether electricity is really passing through the veins, it needs to be tested out, because it could be electrical pulses or it could be how the light reflects off the plant's cells).

Btw, plants have been scientifically shown to be able to generate electrical impulses between cells kind of like how our neurons work to some degree.

I don't know whether you intend to grow them or not, but here are some general cultivation guidelines just in case:

These orchids tend to have relatively short roots compared to some other orchids. The roots do have some relatively limited amount of photosynthetic abilities. Jewels are either lithophytic or grow semi-terestrially, (in leaf litter), on the forest floor. In general, most species do not tolerate being completely dry for extended periods of time. Their roots also need good aeration to prevent root rot in the long run. The light requirements are bright shade to the low end of moderately bright indirect light. Temperature ranges that these orchids do well in, are generally intermediate to warm temperatures, (50 F - 90 F). In general, maintaining proper relative humidity levels is important for some of these orchids; try to to keep relative humidity levels at around 50% - 80% and you'll be fine.

Most people grow these as either mini-greenhouse plants or as terrarium/vivarium plants.

As a side note, some of the above mentioned orchids might have dormancy periods. I know some species of Malaxis goes through a dormancy. I believe orchids in the genus Cheirostylis goes dormant as well, if I'm not mistaken.

This may be a long message, but your deceptively short question needed to be answered this way in order to be accurate to some degree.

[estación seca]

They are readily available if you go searching. I see Olympic Orchids has some small, inexpensive jewel orchid plants right now. I sent one from OO to some non-orchid-growing friends who are growing it happily; I haven't grown them, but have read they do well as house plants.

There are a number of threads about them you will find if you search this board, using terms like Jewel, Anoectochilus, Cheirostylis, Ludisia, and Macodes. A lot of orchid names are changed all the time, so a given plant often has been called a number of different things.

[PaphMadMan]

Looks like one Goodyera there too, center left. Some of those are temperate zone plants but this one is probably a cool growing tropical.

Other than Ludisia, terrarium culture is usually best. In addition to Macodes, Anoectochilus and Dossinia you should be able to find some intergeneric hybrids in this group. Ludochilus hybrids tend to be among the easiest to grow.

[Optimist]

Black Jungle Terrarium Supply has a good selection of these when they are not sold out. Macodes, Ludisia, Anoectochilus, Nephelaphyllum, Goodyeara, Dossinia, Dossinochilus.

Oh, they do have Nephelaphyllum in right now, it is a white one.

[vjo]

TJBurton is in Canada so it may be difficult to get them.