| Indeed. I understand the longing. I have a mournful wish that I could grow pleurothallids, but I doubt whether I could get away with them without a major investment in Wardian cases or something. For foliage, though, I'm head-over-heels in love with my jewel orchids, but I don't suppose they'd particularly complement the Chinese pot. My Ludisia discolor stops my heart every time I look at it, and it needs only slightly more light than a mushroom. The Macodes petola, which wouldn't do in that pot at all, has been slow to settle in and a little touchy, but the leaves make me want to sing a little with their gorgeous golden veins and brocade-like texture. And it has just put out new side growth, with leaves the size of a small ladybug already showing the glint. The flowers of the Macodes aren't much at all; those of the Ludisia kind of look like hen-and-chicks, but they're cute and last for weeks. |