How to Care for a Ludisia Discolor

Place the jewel orchid near a bright window, but just out of the reach of direct sun rays. Bright, indirect light keeps the foliage a deep blackish green in color, while direct light causes the leaves to wilt and scald, taking on a pale reddish hue. Outdoors in tropical regions, plant this ground-dwelling orchid where it is continually shaded or receives dappled light through the boughs of an overhead evergreen tree.

Water the jewel orchid only to maintain an evenly moist soil. Container-grown plants must have a drainage hole in the bottom to prevent root rot. Outdoors in tropical gardens, plant jewel orchid in a sandy soil enriched with organic matter so it retains some moisture, but drains freely after rain. From fall to spring, lessen watering to keep the soil barely moist to slightly dry.

Apply a well-balanced orchid fertilizer at one quarter the dosage as part of a regular watering every three to four weeks from mid-spring to early fall. Because this orchid naturally is slow growing and grows in a shady environment, its nutrient needs aren't great. Do not fertilize from fall to early spring.

Rotate the container 90 degrees every two to four weeks if grown as a houseplant. This ensures that all sides of the plant receive even light and prevents the orchid from growing lopsided toward the window.

Clip off any dead leaves with a scissors or hand pruners any time of year. Cut only the leaf base and do not slice into the fleshy stems of the plant that clamber over the soil or container edge. Once the upright flower stems fade, they may also be trimmed off to tidy the plant.

Repot the jewel orchid in spring after the seasonal flowering ends. Carefully invert the plant so it slides out of its container. Fill a new container -- 2 to 3 inches wider in diameter -- with fresh potting mix and plant the orchid at the same depth it previously grew. Do not plant the root ball deeper than before, as that causes root suffocation and potential root rot.