{"product_id":"jewel-orchid-ludisia-discolor","title":"Jewel Orchid - Ludisia discolor","description":"\u003cp\u003eJewel Orchid (\u003cem\u003eLudisia discolor\u003c\/em\u003e) is a ground-dwelling orchid grown for its foliage rather than its flowers: near black to copper-gold leaves with red undersides, on fleshy stems with pinkish-white markings. It stays low, with foliage usually around 20cm tall, and in the right conditions it sends up delicate white flower spikes that last for up to a month. It is a shade-loving plant for tropical gardens and for indoors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJewelled foliage.\u003c\/strong\u003e Metallic, patterned leaves in near black to copper-gold, with red undersides, add colour without a single flower.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhite flower spikes.\u003c\/strong\u003e Delicate white flowers on long stems last for up to a month.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade for shade.\u003c\/strong\u003e It wants filtered light rather than direct sun, so it suits the spots where other flowering plants will not grow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIdeal indoors.\u003c\/strong\u003e Warm, humid, sheltered rooms such as bathrooms suit it, and it adds depth to a grouping of green foliage plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShallow roots.\u003c\/strong\u003e A shallow pot or hanging basket is enough, so it fits tight spaces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIndoors.\u003c\/strong\u003e Give it a bright position with filtered light but no direct sun, such as a bathroom or a room with sheer curtains. It does best where the air is warm and humid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTropical gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e In frost-free gardens, tuck it under a shaded canopy or a tree fern, where the forest floor conditions it enjoys are easy to copy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShallow pots and hanging baskets.\u003c\/strong\u003e Because the roots are shallow, a wide, shallow pot or a hanging basket suits it better than a deep one. Space plants about 25cm apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Jewel Orchid in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Filtered light, never direct sun. In temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius, increase the shade and humidity. It comes from the forest floor of South East Asia, so outdoors it suits frost-free tropical and subtropical gardens, and indoors it suits any home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e A well draining mix: chunky orchid bark combined with potting mix is recommended. Use a shallow pot, because the roots are shallow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Let the mix dry out between waterings, which is the most important rule, because constantly wet roots rot. Feed with a dilute orchid fertiliser once a fortnight while the plant is growing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Little is needed. Cut spent flower spikes off at the base when the blooms fade, and remove any dead leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Jewel Orchid as tube stock only: a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. A tube is a small start, and jewel orchids build up gradually. Keep it warm and humid after arrival, out of direct sun, and give it time: the foliage fills out and flowers come once the plant has settled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOur tube stock is grown for us and is not always on the shelf. A tube marked sold out means the grower has none at the moment, and the notify button on the page will email you the day it returns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/house-indoor-plants\"\u003eHouse and indoor plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/low-light-indoor-plants\"\u003eLow light indoor plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/tropical-plants\"\u003eTropical plants for warm gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/orchids-care-maintenance-a-guide\"\u003eOrchid care and maintenance\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it need bright light?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt needs filtered light but not direct sun. A bright room with a sheer curtain, or the shade of a tree outdoors, is ideal. Direct sun scorches the leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow often should I water it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAllow the mix to dry out between waterings, then water thoroughly. Overwatering is the main cause of failure. In warm weather and when growing, feed with a dilute orchid fertiliser once a fortnight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it flower indoors?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt can. Warm, humid, sheltered conditions and good filtered light may be rewarded with long white flower spikes that last up to a month.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790855733567,"sku":"LUD-DIS-tube","price":34.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/jewel-orchid-ludisia-discolor.jpg?v=1792209519","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/jewel-orchid-ludisia-discolor","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}