How to Care for Your Orchids

Based on cultural instructions originally generated by McBeans Orchids.

Incorporating BMOS Members Suggestions.

LUDISIA (The Jewel Orchid)

A group of orchids of which only two are easily found that are grown for the striking colour and patterns on the leaves. The small flowers grow on quite tall spikes but many growers remove them as the plants energy goes into the flowers and tends to detract leaf pattern and colour intensity.

CULTIVATION

TEMPERATURE

Ludisia is quite tolerant but likes warmth so it does best above 15 degrees C, it will not suffer at below this but will be slower growing and need less water.

LIGHT

Ludisia is a shade lover; in fact too much light will cause leaf colour and leaf pattern fade. Grow it under other plants or away from any window though of course it does need some natural light so don’t grow it where you would grow mushrooms.

WATERING

Allow the compost to almost dry out between watering and water only when the compost is almost dry. This will mean quite careful monitoring as the time of year and your own microclimatic conditions will affect water retention. Water logging will cause the plant distress and may cause it to die.

HUMIDITY

Like most orchids Ludisia likes it humid so, like most orchids, place the pot on gravel or pebbles that are kept wet BUT don’t let the bottom of the pot be in contact with the water. As it is a shade lover Ludisia is an ideal orchid to grow among ferns that will keep up a humid microclimate around the plant. Misting in the case of Ludisia is not really helpful as the leaves, which are its main attraction, could get marked and/or blotched.

FEEDING

Use a half strength houseplant feed such as baby-bio every second watering.

COMPOST

Light and free draining, bark, as a mixture of fine and course, is probably best.

REPOTTING

Not advisable until either the compost has soured or the plant has out grown the pot. The stems of Ludisia are fleshy and rather brittle like the stems of impatiens (busy-lizzies) and can easily break when being handled. Ludisia needs to be handled very carefully when repotting.