i initially ended up with a Jewel Orchid (Ludisia discolor) years ago when i was in the first Master Gardener class in my area. i may have traded someone at one of the plant swaps our Extension Service (that hosted the MG classes) had a couple of times a year - however, they didn't know what it was. i, of course, wanted it anyway - i love leaves with PINK stripes or spots on them, just because it's so unusual. It was planted in heavy potting soil at the time, definitely not great for Orchids, but since i couldn't find out what it was, that's where it stayed (again, this was long before many humans regularly went online to research things - actually, before anyone knew what "online" was!). It grew okay for a while, then it languished, and finally started to decline, no matter what i tried to do for it.
My Jewel orchid in my work office, just starting to bloom
My Master Gardener class visited the greenhouse at the Toledo Zoo during that time, and i took my plant to show the people who were giving a class for us that day. Well, they knew what it was, even repotted it for me in Orchid mix, but by that time it was too late for the poor thing....
A cutting off the same plant, showing the dark purplish green leaves with those remarkable pink stripes and unique texture.
BUT, about a year ago, i found another one, and, hey, once you know what the heck the plant is, it's real easy to grow! What a concept! There is one drawback- the flowers are numerous, but white, scentless and tiny - definitely not what one would picture an "Orchid" blossom would be. That's the way it goes sometimes in the plant world - beautiful plant; obscure flowers, or beautiful blossoms; ugly plant! Nonetheless, i'm happy with my "jewel"!
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