Macodes petola potting mix

[smweaver]

I just received two clumps of this species and they're potted in straight NZ sphagnum. Does anyone know if this medium is a safe, long-term choice for this species (or for any of the other jewell orchids)? I frankly don't trust the stuff on its own (the low pH is my concern when it's not amended with something else to buffer the acidity), so my instinct is to go online and find a decent seedling mix to transplant these into. But if others have had success with this species in NZ sphagnum, I would definitely consider keeping the plants growing as they are since they're very healthy and I don't want to set them back.

Thanks!

Steve

[Roberta]

Mine grew in spahg for several years, then I lost it. However, I don't think that low pH would be a problem, they grow in leaf litter on the forest floor, a pretty acidic environment. But hopefully someone with longer-range success can jump in. I suspect my problem was inadequate humidity - these jewels need a LOT.

San Francisco Orchid Society had a great talk on the subject by Nick Rust. The video is viewable for members only. (I am... the wonders of Zoom! I'll never get to a meeting, an 8 hour drive, but I enjoy the meetings) But some of the points of basic culture were;

High humidity with decent air movement - vivarium is great environment

Water when nearly dry but don't go totally dry

Medium: his generic potting mix is fast draining, consisting of equal parts coarse perlite, fine pine bark, fine charcoal, chopped sphagnum, and peat-based soil mix

Macodes don't get anything special within the group, he says that they are a little more forgiving of drying out, so maybe humidity isn't quite as critical.

He is on Facebook as @rusty.orchids and Instagram rustyexotics_orchids ... worth checking out, he is a very knowledgeable source.

[Dimples]

I have three pots of Ludisia discolor. One in sphag and two in a well draining aroid potting soil I make and they’re all happily growing. I’ve recently come to the conclusion that the two in soil are getting too strong of light, but they’re growing and flowering fine. The sphag pot started out as a propagation and has been happy for well over a year and it’s not event the best quality sphag. You can always change the mix to something else but my experience is that sphag is fine for jewels.

[Roberta]

Ludisia discolor is the least picky of the jewel orchids. That's why so many people grow it. Some of the other jewels are a bit trickier.

[smweaver]

Thank you both for your replies to my questions. I can keep the humidity high, per your suggestion, Roberta. I currently have them placed on the floor behind one of the humidifiers, where they are shaded and in the direct flow of one of the nozzles that I've aimed in their direction. I do like the idea of a vivarium, however--just the excuse I needed to try one.

I'll also keep them in the sphagnum for now--another excuse to not mess with something that at least appears to be working well.

I just need to keep my partner--now that I've demonstrated to him how attractive they are when viewed in direct sunlight--from moving the plants to the desk in his office to admire, where of course he had one of them sitting in direct sunlight yesterday afternoon for maybe five minutes before I rescued it.