How to Get Your Jewel Orchid to Bloom
Go beyond beautiful foliage and learn how to coax your jewel orchid into bloom. This guide details the subtle environmental cues your plant needs to flower.
The jewel orchid (Ludisia discolor), while celebrated for its veined foliage, also produces elegant flowers. These plants are prized for dark green or burgundy leaves that feature contrasting pinstripes. Though the leaves are the primary attraction, the plant’s ability to send up a flower spike offers a different appeal. Understanding how to encourage this blooming event allows a grower to appreciate the full lifecycle of this terrestrial orchid.
Understanding the Jewel Orchid Bloom Cycle
The blooming process for a jewel orchid begins in the late fall or winter. A flower stalk will emerge from the center of the plant’s newest growth. This stalk grows vertically, reaching several inches in height over a period of weeks before the buds form and open.
Once the buds mature, they open into small, delicate flowers. These blooms are white or a pale pinkish-white with a bright yellow center. The flowers grow in a cluster along the upper portion of the spike. The entire blooming period can last for several weeks, sometimes extending into early summer.
How to Encourage Flowering
To initiate flowering, a jewel orchid requires specific environmental cues. A key trigger is a slight drop in ambient temperature, particularly during the autumn months. Lowering the nighttime temperature to around 60-65°F (15°C) signals to the plant that the blooming season is approaching. A consistent pattern of cooler nights for a few weeks can be very effective.
Consistent lighting is also a factor in encouraging blooms. Jewel orchids thrive in bright, indirect light and should be shielded from direct sun. During the pre-flowering period in fall, ensuring the plant receives adequate light helps it gather energy for flower production. It is also beneficial to reduce watering frequency slightly, allowing the top layer of the growing medium to dry out more than usual between waterings.
Being slightly pot-bound can also contribute to more reliable blooming. A plant whose roots fill its container experiences a mild level of stress that can direct its energy toward reproduction rather than vegetative growth. Avoid repotting just before the blooming season. When you do water, use room-temperature water to avoid shocking the plant’s root system.
Caring for Your Orchid After Blooming
Once the last of the flowers has faded, the plant’s energy should be redirected toward foliage production. This is accomplished by pruning the entire flower stalk off at the base of the plant. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning snips to make a clean cut where the stalk emerges from the main stem. This prevents the plant from wasting resources on the spent bloom.
Some growers who prioritize foliage over flowers will pinch off the flower spikes as soon as they appear. This technique encourages the plant to become bushier by promoting more leaf growth. After removing the flower stalk, resume your standard care routine. Return to a regular watering schedule and begin applying a balanced orchid fertilizer every two to four weeks during the active growing season.