What is a Jewel Orchid?

 

A Beautiful Houseplant

Here is an orchid that is really worth looking at for a beginner indoor gardener.  It is called a Ludisia discolor and is one of the only orchids that is grown for the foliage and not its small white flower.





Flower is smaller than a dime

This orchid is so easy to grow that each grower has their own opinion on what kind of potting medium to grow it in. The Jewel Orchid is not like the last few orchids that we have spoken about.  It does not grow in trees; it grows on the ground.  So you need something a little heavier but still not just dirt.  My Jewel is in a good potting soil mix.  A mix means that there is organic material in the bag to help hold moisture but still allows air pockets for the plant to drain.  Some growers will tell you to create a mix of 1/3 soil, 1/3 peat and 1/3 bark.  There are also commercial potting mixtures available for just terrestrial orchids.
 





From Indonesia and Burma 

 

The Jewel Orchid is from the jungles of Indonesia and Burma so it likes a warm, humid environment.  Average day temperatures should be between 70 and 80 degrees.  I have read that night temperatures can go as low as 10 degrees but I don't think I want to try it. 

 

My Jewel Orchid likes a semi sunny location which helps to keep it warm.  It summers in a semi shady patio which is like a sunny window.  You should probably place your orchid in an eastern  window. 

 

Humidity

 

If you are not able to mist your Jewel Orchid twice a day then you should go with a humidity tray.  This is a tray that you put under your plant that is full of stones.  The tray should be larger than the pot that holds your orchid and has enough stones in it so that your orchid will not get wet when you fill the tray with water.  Water will evaporate and create a humid environment for any plant sitting on the tray.  This method works well with most orchids and you might want to consider a long shelf tray that could hold more than just one of your plants.  Just remember to keep the tray full and change the water now and then to keep it fresh. 

 

Propagation

 

Now for the fun part.  If you like this plant it is really easy to get more.  Just wait until you have a stem that is over 5 inches long.  Then cut the stem with at least 3 sets of leaves on it.  Remove 2 sets and place the cutting in a pot covering the area where you removed the leaves.  You will get better and quicker results if you purchase some rooting hormone to dust on the cutting before you put it in the pot.  Rooting hormone is available at most garden center.

 

 

 I hope you enjoyed this posting on the little known Jewel Orchid.  Though the leaves are beautiful I cannot help to notice the beauty of the tiny little flower with a sunny yellow lip.  I could not help but put in this last photo because of how it looks like the opening buds look like they are lit from within. 

Please send me any questions about your houseplants via this site or email me at houseplantsos@gmail.com . Send me any photos of plants you want answers for.  I will publish them and help you get any sick plants back on the road to health.

Sincerely,
k.k.jones