Sea Turtle Jewel Orchid
Sea Turtle Jewel Orchid
šæĀ Ludochilus āSea Turtleā Jewel Orchid
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Hybrid origin: Itās a cross between Ludisia discolor var. nigrescens and Anoectochilus formosanus.Ā
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Genus name: āLudochilusā is a portmanteau of the two parent genera (Ludisia + Anoectochilus) to reflect its hybrid nature.Ā
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Focus: Primarily grown for its foliage rather than its flowers ā the leaves display a striking pattern, reminiscent of sea turtle shells, hence the name.Ā
šØ Appearance
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Leaves: Deep purplish-green to nearāmaroon with shimmering veins in white, gold, or pink tones. The venation tends to be more distinct and clean-lined (more linear āstripedā/āshell-patternedā) than many Ludisia discolor forms.Ā
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Texture: As with jewel orchids, foliage is velvety. It gleams or shimmers under light
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Size / Habit: A low, spreading plant. Leaves are fairly small; overall height modest (6-8 in.) but can trail or spread more when mature.
āļø Light, Temperature, & Humidity
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Light: Prefers low to medium indirect light. Bright but diffused light helps highlight the leaf veins without burning edges. Avoid direct sun.Ā
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Temperature: Intermediate to warm. Minimum indoor temp around 60Ā°F (~15Ā°C). Does fine in normal home temps above that.Ā
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Humidity: Likes humidity, but isnāt extremely demanding. Moderately high humidity (60-80%) gives best results. Terrariums are ideal environments.Ā
š§ Soil & Watering
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Soil / Growing medium: Terrestrial orchid mix. Often a mossy or peat-based, well-draining but moisture-retentive mix. Some growers use mixtures that include moss, orchid bark, perlite.Ā
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Watering: Keep soil lightly moist. Donāt let it dry out completely for long; but avoid soggy soil (root rot risk). Let top layer dry a bit before watering again.
šø Flowers
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Produces small white flowers in winter (or when mature). The blooms are not its main show; the foliage is what people grow it for.Ā
ā ļø Common Challenges / What to Watch Out For
| Problem | Likely Cause | Solution / Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf edges or tips browning | Low humidity, too strong light, or inconsistent watering | Increase humidity, soften light, ensure consistent watering regime |
| Pale or washed-out venation | Light too low or mix too rich / too much nitrogen | Increase light (indirect) and ensure soil isnāt overfertilized |
| Root rot / soft stems | Overwatering or poor drainage | Use well-draining soil, ensure pot has drainage, let top soil dry slightly |
| Mislabelled plants in market | Popularity leads to misidentification (many āSea Turtleā labels may actually be Ludisia forms) | Buy from reputable sources; compare leaf venation pattern, color, and texture before buying.Ā |
š Care Tips for Best Results
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Use a shallow pot if possible, since it spreads more than grows tall.
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Provide a layer of moss or moisture-retaining substrate above or around roots to keep moisture stable.
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Rotate plant occasionally so leaves get even light, which helps with symmetrical growth and color.
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Mist or use a humidifier, especially in dry indoor air.
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Fertilize lightly during the growing season; do not overdo it.
Product features
Product features
Materials and care
Materials and care
Merchandising tips
Merchandising tips
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