Ludisia discolor (Black Jewel orchid) in bloom

[Bud]

Thank You, Sii !

Thank You, Jrodpad! ... I lost two leaves on the tall spiked plant and lost 4 leaves on the smaller plant...no worries; I can always grow more leaves in the warmer months...the white fragrant flowers are important to me...I love white fragrant orchids

Thank You, Sonya !

Thank You, Paul ! I use half potting soil and half small bark orchid media...and I make sure it is evenly moist and I let it dry before I water it again..bright shaded sun and fertilizer weekly weakly; no rest period

Thank You so much Ron for your encouraging words...

and...Thank You Rosie ! yep it is hard to take pictures of tiny flowers with my iPhone...but I have a software that blows it up to macro proportions and sharpens the focus

[GardenTheater]

That's a cute one and leaves look cool.

[Bud]

Thank You, GardenTheater ! the leaves are dark velvety and has this red lines like a renaissance outfit in a painting

[GardenTheater]

Nice of this orchid to get dressed up in a renaissance oufit and bloom for you too. It must really like the culture and care it's getting.

[Bud]

I followed the culture that the grower gave me when I bought it. I always ask for helpful tips.

[Bud]

Ludisia discolor, the black jewel orchid, is an orchid species native to Malaysia, Indonesia and Burma. It is a terrestrial orchid, which mean it grows in soil and soil-like medium on the ground. In their natural environment, these orchids can be found growing on the forest floor. They are known for their foliage, which is velvety; deep maroon leaves with red veins that run parallel to the center.

It blooms typically from December to February (Winter–early Spring). Flowers are white with twisting yellow columns. Individual flowers are small but grow in clusters on upright stalks. Flowers will open any time from December to February and last a month or more.

Ludisia discolor tolerates intermediate to warm environments. They need high humidity and warm temperatures. Because of these temperature preferences, they can be grown in terrariums or pots. Low to medium light is ideal, and they tolerate extremely low light levels. Jewel orchids are terrestrial and thus prefer equal parts of soil and peat moss with perlite as a drainage additive.

[SJF]

I am having one of these shipped to me when the weather warms up here. Would the Miracle Gro Orchid mix be appropriate for this orchid? This is my first jewel orchid.

[Bud]

add half a cup of ordinary garden soil mix to 1 cup your miracle gro and it will be perfect....
I love jewel orchids because of their leaf patterns, and they have small popcorn like blooms

[RosieC]

Wow, what great photos!

I have two of these (one that broke into two) and both are flowering at the moment. I love seeing them but never managed to get half such good shots as yours.

I grow them in potting compost, with a little bark and a little perlite but it's mostly potting compost. They seem happy in that.

[Bud]

Thank You, Rosie !

This plant is separating into two clumps and I might repot it in two pots....
when you have a chance put your blooming Ludisia in a tall stand outdoors and photograph it in an overcast sky(its hard to capture large plants indoors)
potting compost is ideal for this kind of plant