2 new orchid additions...

[Nic100]

Found this little dendrobium and the Ludisia unexpectedly at the garden centre - I've only ever seen Phals and the occasional Paph there. I really wasn't looking for new orchids!!()

Thought I'd share some pics of the new additions... I thought the foliage might be a change from the sea of green I currently have going on!

I don't have favourites but if I did the little dendrobium might just be it this week. I've never seen one with leaves this colour before!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Nice find. Hopefully during the winter I'll start seeing Ludisia discolor in the local garden centers here. I kind of wanna try something out with this plant.

However, according to what I've found on-line as far as pics of Ludisia discolor growing in the wild is concerned, they're actually lithophytes (grow on rocks) not true terrestrials. The rocks are either near or on streams or rivers with a thin layer of moss on them and a little bit of leaf litter.

Try growing the Ludisia discolor in a shallow pot with some pumice and a thin layer of sphagnum moss and throw in a little bit of leaf litter. Don't allow it to dry out. Just water and allow to dry to the point where the sphagnum is a bit damp and water again. Grow in shade, bright shade, or dappled indirect sunlight. They do produce flowers just in case you weren't aware of them.

They have a sparse amount of short roots that grow along the rhizome of the plant that can easily get damaged if they're not grown properly. This is why I recommended growing them as a lithophyte.

Good color on the Dendrobium phalaenopsis type. I believe the leaves are darker in color than what you're used to seeing because they were grown under some pretty intense lighting. But not so intense they got sunburn.

[Nic100]

Oooh, thanks for the advice! That will be interesting project for me. When is the best time to repot in that way? Currently there are 3 tall shoots? canes? (what do you call them on a Ludisia) that are standing a good 8-10" above the soil, and 3 new ones no more than 3". I'm a bit worried that they'll be a bit unstable in a shallow pot?
Prob a good chance my dendrobium won't keep it's colour if high light is the reason behind it. I'll enjoy it while I can! And take lots of pictures!
Thanks again for the suggestions!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I suggest repotting the Ludisia now. They will start throwing out spikes soon.

As for the instability in a shallow pot, use some 16 gage wire or 12 gage wire and cut them into small 5 cm (2 inch) long pieces. Then bend them into a "U" shape. Gently stake the plants in place by placing as many of the small wires as you need along the rhizomes in between the growths (aka shoots).

By a thin layer of moss covering the surface of the pumice, I mean as thick as only one strand of sphagnum should do.

Again, like all the other orchids, resist the urge to over pot.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I made a revision on the wire length. I changed to 5 cm in length.

[Nic100]

Okey-doke! I'll have to do a hunt for some pumice. I've actually seen some shallow pots that might be perfect. Once I get myself organised I'll give it a go, and let you know how it turns out!
Thanks again!