help (Ludisia discolor)

[Capttommy]

How do I post a picture of an orchid if I don't have it in a url? OK I found it. Is this an orchid and if so what kind?

[SouthPark]

They generally call them 'jewel orchid' or jewel orchids .... Ludisia discolor

[Roberta]

SouthPark is correct on the ID... look carefully at the flowers and you will see that they do have the typical orchid form - bilateral symmetry (side-to side) but not radial (the lip is the "different" petal)

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

[Capttommy]

I have been having 2 of these little guys sense inheriting them from my Dad. they have bloomed every year. Is there any way to propagate them?

[Dimples]

Originally Posted by Capttommy

I have been having 2 of these little guys sense inheriting them from my Dad. they have bloomed every year. Is there any way to propagate them?

They're pretty easy to propagate. I root stem cuttings in sphag frequently. They don't seem to develop a robust root system so I haven't had any trouble moving them into chunky aroid-type potting soil once I get around to it. I've been meaning to try them in fine bark with a little bit of sphag mixed in to see how they do in that. The original pot I bought was in 100% peat moss so they don't seem picky.

Mine are also very happy to live in sphag for as long as I need them to so long as they don't dry out for too long. They'll start dropping lower leaves if they stay dry too long but they'll drop them eventually anyway. I do have one pot in an easily forgettable location and hasn't suffered too badly from the occasional extended drought.

[estación seca]

Nice to have something to remind you of your dad. They can be propagated by stem cuttings. I haven't done this, but people here have mentioned laying them sideways on some sphagnum moss, loose potting soil or perlite. Others root them in water. It's probably better to wait for late spring or summer.

You can use the Search - Advanced Search function in the top maroon menu to look for Luidisia discolor.

[WaterWitchin]

Cap'n, I added your orchid's name to the title...might be helpful for more replies. I've never grown them, but a friend grows a ton of them for resale at a river market. He propagates and refreshes lanky ones just as Dimples and ES are describing.

I see more than one stem coming from the pot. Why not attempt propagating/refreshing one stem, and leave the other alone until you see success? That's the route I'd take.

[Capttommy]

The ones I have don't have any roots just long segmented stalks. These long stalks are why I'm asking about propagation. They are about 8 to 10 inches long with many segments.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by Capttommy

The ones I have don't have any roots just long segmented stalks. These long stalks are why I'm asking about propagation. They are about 8 to 10 inches long with many segments.

I'm sure there are roots Capttommy. Otherwise it wouldn't be alive. Perhaps not great roots, but who knows? The roots are down in the potting medium. It's a terrestrial, so you won't see epiphytic type roots or aerial roots. Probably should have already mentioned that to ya.