I can do this.
So my first Jewel Orchid was doing so well that I got some more. And by “doing so well” I mean that he wasn’t dead, nor looking like he wanted to be. For some reason I had it in my head that jewel orchids were frail, finicky, delicate things, which apparently they’re not; so that’s a pleasant surprise.
Not that they don’t have some specific requests. But I grow other orchids, so I think we can work this out. They’re terrestrial rather than epiphytic, so I’ve got them orchid pots in a mix that more resembles “leaf litter”. They aren’t directly under the grow lights, they’re in the light fallout from the grow shelves, off to the sides a bit. The humidity in the plant room is usually 50-60%, and the temp is in the upper 60s. And so far, everyone seems happy.
The new guys are still rather small. The Ludisia discolor got here first, and he’s starting to grow and send out leaves. The two Macodes got here a couple of weeks later, so they’re still getting their footings. But, fingers crossed, so far nothing crispy, nothing mushy.
And it is about the foliage, and a magnifying glass. The leaves are beautiful when you see them, but when you look up-close it’s just amazing. All is well so far. I think I can do this.
I’ll keep you posted.
