Ludisia discolor

[Happypaphy7]

What I love about German grocery stores. Finding jewel orchids with multiple spikes that come with a nice deco pot for only 5.99!! I almost bought the entire tray but did not want to be greedy.
That was last week of October and the flowers started to open mid November.
Still in bloom. I had no idea this thing was fragrant! Very sweet and strong around midday.
Now, I’m not good with growing these, so gotta enjoy while they last.

 

[TyroneGenade]

Excellent find.

What is it potted in? Mine has endured much hardship over the years but carries on. In fact, now that it is potted in lava rock and getting weekly weakly fertilizer it is looking great. This is why I wonder about what it is potted in. It should be a tough plant that is easy to grow.

 

[Happypaphy7]

It appears to be in peat based potting mix with small perlite bits tossed in. You grow yours in lava rock?? I guess it works as long as the roots stay moist. I always see them sold in the peat based mix. At least when I buy them from florist. never bought them from orchid nurseries.
I have only watered this plant once this whole time since it is pretty damp.

As a kid, I killed a few of these. I had no idea they were orchids. They just looked cool with velvety dark leaves with bright stripes. They were pretty cheap and common as a houseplant, and they still are apparently here in Europe!

 

[NYEric]

They used to be common houseplants in NYC when I was growing up. Coir works well.

 

[big923cattleya]

I grow Ludisia in an even mix of peat moss, fine charcoal, fine orchiata and fine perlite.
Mine like a little more light then Phalaenopsis and I never let them dry out.
Lower light makes the leaves grow darker with harder to see markings. Brighter light makes the leaves get brighter with more intense markings.

 

[PhilaGardener]

Nice that yours is fragrant! I can't say I ever detected that from mine. They do like a peat based mix and even moisture.

 

[littlefrog]

Nice that yours is fragrant! I can't say I ever detected that from mine. They do like a peat based mix and even moisture.

I have a cutting in the top of a freshwater shrimp tank (about half of the stem submerged) and it is going kind of bonkers with roots...

 

[Happypaphy7]

I have one growth that came off. Another growth fell out the pot. I could try rooting them but don't have fish tank to dunk them. lol
I might try moist moss instead.

 

[Happypaphy7]

Nice that yours is fragrant! I can't say I ever detected that from mine. They do like a peat based mix and even moisture.

It is only fragrant during a short time window around midday. So you can easily miss it. It is very strong that you can smell it by being near it. Unfortunately, I was never good with these plants. They would always just fall apart into individual growths as they are starting to do now, and I would buy them again every year to enjoy the leaves. I remember they were nearly black with iridescent orange markings on the leaves. Mine are more or less dark green. Maybe my memory is not serving me right.

 

[littlefrog]

It is only fragrant during a short time window around midday. So you can easily miss it. It is very strong that you can smell it by being near it. Unfortunately, I was never good with these plants. They would always just fall apart into individual growths as they are starting to do now, and I would buy them again every year to enjoy the leaves. I remember they were nearly black with iridescent orange markings on the leaves. Mine are more or less dark green. Maybe my memory is not serving me right.

There are different color forms of Ludisia discolor, but also a bunch of hybrids with other species now. So not sure how well labeled your plants are.

 

[Happypaphy7]

There are different color forms of Ludisia discolor, but also a bunch of hybrids with other species now. So not sure how well labeled your plants are.

Mine came with a label that just says Ludisia. I figured it is Ludisia discolor.