Free Jewel Orchid Plants

Jewel orchid, also known as Ludisia discolor, is a wonderful indoor plant. It is better known around the world by its wonderful and unique foliage. There are around 30 different species of the jewel orchid. This is one of the most unique of the orchid species growing in the soil rather than in the air and giving rise to velvet rich foliage that adds extra beauty to the leaves. It is native to Japan, India, Malaysia, Burma, Taiwan, South East Asia.

The plant is mostly seen growing in the mossy rocks, humus or in decayed leaves. It grows in places that are partially shady.

This terrestrial orchid prefers to grow in a dim environment along with a humid air. The plant has high preference to stagnant conditions. It is an easy to grow plant and it easily propagates.

Foliage : Jewel orchid gives rise to a bronze colored foliage. It is around 3 inches long and 1 inch wide with a parallel red vein adding extra beauty to the foliage. The veins can come in light green to silver in color depending on the type of jewel orchid.

The veins in this leave add an extra beauty to the leaves. It comes in a varied range of color depending on the type of specie. Copper, gold and silver are some of the most common color of the vein.

Flower : Tiny white flowers sprout during the winter months from the leafy rosettes. Although flowers are not taken to be the major attraction to this plant, it adds an extra beauty to the plant and forms a contrasting effect with its bronze leaves. Once the blossom gets over, you can cut away the stalk preparing it for the next growth.

Where should you locate the plant indoor?

It is best to place the jewel orchid close to window that faces east or north. The plant needs some amount of indirect sunlight. Also keep in mind about not exposing the plant to excess sunlight especially the midday sunlight is considered harmful to this plants proper functioning. The plant loves damp and shady places to do well yet it can withstand some amount of sunlight.

Needs

Soil : The soil needed by jewel orchid is humus rich soil. It needs to be kept in proper drained potting soil.

Fertilizer : Although fertilizer is not the core need of this plant, it is good to add some amount of fertilizer for the proper functioning of this plant. You can use the liquid household ferlizer but make sure that the fertilizer is diluted to only half strength since the full strength fertilizer can be an excess dose to this plants proper growth. Also the best time to use this fertilizer is once in a three weeks time.

Temperature : Keeping in mind about the kind of temperature needed by the plant is crucial if you are a plant lover and consider planting as your hobby. Jewel orchid can thrive well in a temperature between 21-29 C.

Also this plant loves humid conditions. Although this plant can thrive in a humidity level of 50%, humidity level of 70% is considered best for this plants best growth.

Water : The jewel orchid is quite a lover of humid soil. Little amount of water occasionally will do good for this plant’s growth. However, you need to know that the plant does not like being disturbed by access amount of water, excess water will rot the plant. Thus, make sure not to leave the plant dry or soaked in access water.

Repotting : Jewel orchid is a plant that requires repotting once the pot appears over full of leaves or looks congested. The plant, rather than growing tall will spread wide as it starts growing. It is also good, if you plant this plant in a pot having maximum width. This plant does not grow deep, rather wide and has root that spreads quite shallow.

Uses : The small flower from the jewel orchid is best used in the China to make tea. The Chinese has come to learn the medicinal values of this plant in curing diseases that are mostly associated with our lungs and liver. This plant is also known to cure our body as an anti-influenza A, an anti-inflammatory agent and anti-depression agent.