Jewel orchid has both attractive flowers and leaves, making it an excellent ornamental plant

The jewel orchid is a beautiful and intriguing potted orchid, also known as the jewelry orchid, and can be used in rock bonsai arrangements. Its clusters of small, snow-white, crystal-clear flowers have a unique form, its leaf patterns and leaf colors are beautiful, and its fleshy stems resemble giant silkworms, segmented one section after another; cutting them into sections with a sterilized sharp knife allows for propagation.

To get this common orchid, the jewel orchid, to bloom, the following points must be noted:

1. Constant adequate moisture - the jewel orchid is native to humid, semi-shaded environments, and is difficult to bloom when too dry.

It is best to use high-quality wet sphagnum moss; after absorbing water, squeeze out the excess moisture, then gently wrap the base of the jewel orchid's stems and roots, keeping them moist and out of direct sun, as only scattered light is needed. When growing in osmunda fiber, a layer of wet sphagnum moss should also be spread on the surface.

During propagation, sections of stem nodes can also be laid horizontally on wet sphagnum moss, and the young plants will grow faster and will also be more likely to bloom in the future; however, the growing medium must never be waterlogged or compacted; growing in soil will cause root rot, because the medium has no excess air spaces for air circulation, and the roots' ability to absorb will then weaken, which affects the formation of "flower primordia."

2. Use a light, dilute phosphorus-potassium fertilizer - the leaves and leaf stems of the jewel orchid are mainly reddish-purple-brown, with little chlorophyll, so never apply too much nitrogen fertilizer, which will make the plant weaker and prevent blooming. During the spring and summer growing period, apply the chemical fertilizer "Hyponex" No. 1 mixed with No. 3 once every ten days, or use other liquid blooming fertilizers, but dilute 3000 times; light, dilute fertilizer helps the young roots absorb, while concentrated fertilizer easily burns the roots, leading to a weak plant and no flowers. Fertilizer should be stopped in winter.

3. Use an "unglazed clay pot" - the outer layer of the flower pot should not be glazed, which helps air circulation, retains moisture while also draining well, making it easier for the roots to absorb phosphorus-potassium fertilizer and helping flower buds form.

4. Prefers scattered light, do not expose to sun - the jewel orchid is a shade-loving flower, not a "sun-loving plant," so only indirect light helps it bloom.