How to Care for Lightning Jewel Orchids in Terrariums
A little bit about Lightning Jewel Orchids
Lightning Jewel Orchids make for a spectacular terrarium plant thanks to their impressive and unique leafy foliage. For this reason, Lightning Jewel Orchids are often grown as indoor plants.
Family: Orchidaceae
Origin: South East Asia
Type: Orchid
Growth habit: Up to 12 inches, grows tall.
Suitable terrarium: Open or closed
Flower: Single flower. Each individual flower will last up to ten days, with the overall flowering lasting up to five weeks.
How to grow and care for Lightning Jewel Orchids in Terrariums
Lightning Jewel Orchids enjoy high humidity medium to bright indirect light, regular even watering and a moderately warm temperature. They can grow up to 12 inches in height, so be sure to keep this in mind when putting together your terrarium. Jewel Orchids don’t do very well in direct sunlight, particularly in terrariums which will heat up quickly when placed in full sun. When it comes to watering, don’t let a Jewel Orchid dry out – maintain regular, even moisture and ensure the roots are provided with good aeration to avoid root rot.
Ideal Lighting Conditions for Lightning Jewel Orchids:
Bright, indirect light
Ideal Temperature Conditions for Lightning Jewel Orchids:
65-80°F (18-26°C)
Ideal Watering Conditions for Lightning Jewel Orchids:
Allow about half the soil/growing medium to dry out between watering.
Ideal Humidity Conditions for Lightning Jewel Orchids:
60-90%
Warm, shady and grown for its leaves
Macodes petola, the lightning jewel orchid, is grown entirely for its foliage, dark leaves shot through with glittering gold veins like forks of lightning. Like other jewel orchids it is a warm-growing, terrestrial understory plant: give it low indirect light, steady warmth, high humidity and an evenly moist substrate, and it thrives in a closed terrarium.
Where to buy Lightning Jewel Orchids:
Local nurseries, terrarium stores, and online marketplaces are a great place to find terrarium plants and Lightning Jewel Orchids.
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