Hello Orchid Geeks

[martian]

I have just logged in for the first time in a while and was reminded that I have never made a posting so here we are. I have been keeping orchids for about two years and have definitely caught the bug. I grew up with gardening folk and have always been green fingered, enjoying all sorts of plants, trees etc. I have kept a few bonsai trees for 20 years or so. My Mum has kept a few orchids for 10 years or so but I only really started noticing them a couple of years ago when I bought an Oncidium taka, I think. When it started to flower for the first time after the initial flowering when purchased I really got hooked on orchids, I'm not sure exactly why but it is something to do with the plants looking I guess somewhat ordinary most of the time and then producing just beautiful flowers. I am also fascinated by how they grow, aerial roots, pseudobulbs, canes etc.
Now I have a small collection of eighteen orchids, some doubles as I have split some. I have just been given for my birthday a Jewel orchid which as far as I can tell is Ludisia discolour. It has just finished flowering and so I want to repot it. I have read that it would do well in sphagnum moss, the only media I have used so far is a medium bark mix. Do I just use the moss alone or is it a good idea to mix some bark in with it?
The orchids I have at present are :- Oncidium taka?, Maxillaria picta, Ascofinetia Cherry Blossom, an unknown vanda type, 3 dendrobiums unknown, a cambria type, 3 Cymbidiums, 2 Paphiopedilums unknown, a Phalaenopsis and a Ludisia.
I think that the site is a great resource, well done to everyone, keep on growing.

Best wishes to all from Bristol, England.

Martian

[flowerchild]

Welcome Bristol from Ontario, Canada.Yes it is a great site, lots of great information, but most importantly FANTASTIC people!!!! Flowerchild aka Cindy

[Vivienne]

Welcome! You'll get all the answers you seek and more here. Great folks, great info and lots of fun.

[tom499]

Jewel orchids are very much terristrial plants. I used to have one planted in soil, but it died from over watering as i used to treat it like other orchids.

There should be proper culture sheets on the forum, or fred im sure will some

[BillC]

Hi Martian, (that makes me think you are a long way from home). Now to your ludisia. Shade; 500-1500 Foot candles (indirect low light, slight shadowing) Intermediate to Warm; 58°F min. to 88°F max. It is grown in a mixture of Orchid bark and sphagnum moss, but some growers claim that it can be grown in ordinary garden loam. Whatever, the mixture should be always moist but never wet. I have included a pic. to show what it may look like fully grown. The pic is from 'Dave's Garden'. Good luck with your plant.

Bill

[kmarch]

Welcome! Friendly folks here! Happy growing!

[fred]

The jewel orchid is a very Rare species and is found in Tropical Jungles.

the jewel orchid grows well in a shallow pot in shaded position.

Media must drain well but stays damp. ( not wet )
spaghnum moss is recommend as it retains moisture.


Also requires a warn to high humidity can be grown well on a windowsill or in the terarium culture also in a bathroom.

In the cooler months less water is recommened also.

the jewel orchid is a terrestrial.

jewel orchids are found in warm, humid tropical rain forests of Southeast Asia and throughout the islands of the Indo Pacific region including the remote rain forests of New Guinea and Borneo. There they grow in the leaf litter under the shade of large tropical trees.

i think the challenge here would be the right humidity

if any other members can add to this please do

[martian]

Hi Fred,

Thanks for your reply and information. My question has been answered already and I am going to plant the Ludisia today. My intention is to try growing it in our Spa at work. It is warm, humid with low natural light levels as it is in a basement. The only plants we have in there at the moment are Peace Lilys which do quite well. Do you have any suggestions for orchids that would do well in this enviroment?

Martian.

[kmarch]

Martian,

You say very low light levels? About the lowest-light orchid there are are the mottled-leaved Paphiopedilums. They are quite easy to grow and can bloom in fairly low light as the species they are hybridized from are frequently found growing around the base of trpoical trees where it is well shaded. they also grow into nice clumps and can put up quite a nice display of long lasting (about a month or so) flowers.

Cheers

[martian]

Thanks for the info.

Martian

[pikevi]

Welcome to the forum, martian.

You will find this forum to be full of knowledge and advice.

[chefatplay]

Welcome, Martian. Kevin, can Lady Slippers also survive in low light?

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by chefatplay

Welcome, Martian. Kevin, can Lady Slippers also survive in low light?

Yup, chef, some of them, the mottled-leaf varieties, can.