My first Jewel

[orchidfriend]

Hello all,

I recently picked up my first Jewel Orchid.
To me it seems to be three "branches" that had at some point been removed from a larger plant and placed in common potting soil. All three "branches" have roots, two have leaves, but I feel like I should be putting them in a medium that is more suiting. I've seen people with Jewels in pure LFSM. What medium is best? Should I put the three "branches" together or in three different pots? Could I maybe mount one and see what happens?

Thanks

[Tarad]

OO I love those!! Don't know much about them but my friend has one.Tara

[janet_a]

i pot mine up in a mix of long fiber sphag, small bark, a dash of a commercial mix that has charcoal in it, and some sphagnum peat. they grow like weeds.

oh, and you can put them together or separately, but i wouldn't mount any--they're really almost terrestrial.

[jay]

Very nice jewel orchid. I agree with janet, these are terrestrial orchids and probably would not do as well in a mount. I'm curious though if anyone has ever tried.

[patticake]

That's a pretty one! I don't have any experience with them myself. It's a cutie!

[lmartiny]

My understanding is they are a ground orchid of sorts. I've read you can root a cutting. I got one from Jerry and he gave me some extras. I put them right in dirt in a shallow pot and it should fill in completely. I have it outside. I checked on it recently and there are several new leaf formations.

[lmartiny]

Here is a picture when I first potted it up about three months ago.

[flowerchild]

Originally Posted by lmartiny

Here is a picture when I first potted it up about three months ago.

Attachment 21829

Attachment 21830

What have you got it planted in? Bark with dirt? I have one that I am desperately trying to get growing. Any information would be good information!!!! thanks cindy aka flowerchild

[lmartiny]

I put it in potting soil and sprinkled some bark on top for looks.

[myorchid]

Your jewel looks great, I also have a jewel but it is Dossinadoes 'Indra's Web', and I have mine growing hydroponially and it is doing great!

I think these type of plants will grow in just about anything, I know they likes lots of water.

[janet_a]

Yep, they root in water. Or in the mix if you keep it damp. I start them in water myself.

These plants are living on the forest floor, wandering along like vines, rooting shallowly in the top damp layers of leaf litter and humus, so that'll give you an idea of how to grow them at home.

[happy go lucky]

Orchidfriend, what does the abbreviation "LFSM" represent? Could all members who start a thread please spell out their abbreviations? Thanks.

[Blueszz]

I assume LFSM = Long fibered Sphagnum Moss.