Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a small Ludisia Discolor in a 3" square pot. It came from Harry planted with soil. Is this appropriate for a Vivarium or should it be planted in LFS or bark?

Thanks
Joe
-----
4.0.0 Tinc Patricias (darn it)
0.0.5 Aurotaenia
0.0.2836 Pea Aphids
0.0.4392 Springtails
0.0.1842 FruitFlies

hey joe-

i plant mine right in my substrate and they are doing great. it is a coco fiber based substrate. i had two of them, but they got tall so i split them into 4 plants and they are all doing great. i think they are very unique for orchids, that they don't mind having their roots moist most of the time. this is what works for me, but others might have different experiences. good luck and hope all the frogs are doing well.

Hi I have 2 of them in different vivs and they are basically just in the gravel.Mine grow tall so I prune them back alot.Had one flower last winter but the stem broke off on the top from pushing up against the lid.
Mark W.

I went ahead and pulled it out of the pot, tossed a few coconut chunks in the hole for drainage and then filled the rest with NZ LFS to put the orchid in, hope it does well, it's my first orchid. I also ordered a Anoectochilus roxburghii from black jungle that I'm waiting on, will it require the same time of potting or is it more particular?

JBeetle, the little frogs are doing well and growing, as soon as I feel this new home is ready they will be living in a spacious 46 gallon bow front.

Joe
-----
4.0.0 Tinc Patricias (darn it)
0.0.5 Aurotaenia
0.0.2836 Pea Aphids
0.0.4392 Springtails
0.0.1842 FruitFlies

Ludisia discolor (in all of its variants) is probably the most forgiving of the jewel orchids, as it will grow well in long fiber sphagnum, constantly moist bark mixes, coco husk chips (and/or fiber), soil mixes, and a variety of others. The great thing about Ludisia is that it is forgiving about being more damp than the others if you have a planting media that doesn't drain optimally (such as long fiber sphagnum, which can water-log).

However, other jewels are a little less tolerant of poor draining media. Anoectochilus and Macodes prefer slightly better aerated or drained media, but still prefer constantly moist conditions and high humidity (perfect for our dart tanks!). To increase aeration of the soil, an easy solution is to add activated charcoal to whatever mix you are using. I use a mix of 1/2 inch and 1/4 inch coconut husk chips with activated charcoal in an approximately 1:3:1 ratio for these plants. Additionally, if you are not using a false bottom system, make sure your water level is always below the root line (which is difficult to tell, because these things have a surprisingly large root system if allowed to grow freely for a long period of time.

Don't give up on these guys if they don't take off right away . . . they are slow growers. I love the jewel orchids, and I would suggest that anyone making an order from AJ Calisi at T&C Terrariums should buy one of his Macodes petola for $15. No, I don't get a kickback, but that's the cheapest I've seen it ANYWHERE (I paid $25 for mine at a local orchid greenhouse, and did so happily), and it is an absolutely gorgeous plant. Pictures really cannot do this one justice.
-----
Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense

hey joe- great to hear. i am sure they will love the nice big tank. good luck with the new orchids.

Joe,
L. discolor is a terrestrial orchid. I have grown show winning ones in a peat/orchid bark/loam mixture. Definately easy to grow.

Good luck!
-----
Justin
stk18119@loki.stockton.edu

D.auratus (Costa Rican, Nicaraguan)
D.leucomelas
D.tinctorius (lorenzo, yellowback, citro, pb, oyopock,etc.)
D.azureus
D.ventrimaculatus (yellow/gold)
D.pumilio (blue jeans, solid red)
P.aurotaenia (narrow bands/green)
P.bicolor
E.tricolor (Santa Isabel)
H. leucophyllata
P. hypochondrialis azurea
P. resinifictrix
A. caladryas
etc.......