ORQUÍDEA de folha COLORIDA: o dossiê completo da orquídea-pipoca

An orchid that is loved as much for its leaves as for its flowers. It grows and grows in the soil, unlike most orchids. It has a delicate, white flower with a yellow detail, which is the origin of its popular name: popcorn orchid. Our gardener Carol Costa tells us all about the ludisia in this video, which is a complete dossier on the plant. The popcorn orchid (Ludisia discolor) is an orchid that produces flowers, but its charm lies in its leaves. With stripes, a dark tone on the visible side and pink on the back, this is one of the few orchids that have foliage that is far from the standard green and without details of most species in the huge Orchidaceae family. For this reason alone, it is worth having one in your collection. Because it is terrestrial, the ludisia is much easier to grow, especially for beginner gardeners. It can last longer without watering, is more resistant to pests and is super easy to reproduce. A little bit of the stem that touches the substrate and... there comes a new seedling! If grown in a gourd or a wider pot, your popcorn orchid will spread out and take up all the space without any fuss. Growing it is simple: basic seedling substrate. It likes heat, humidity, and a humid climate and only needs two hours of sunlight per day. If the plant does not receive direct sunlight on its leaves, it may wither. Sun all day can burn the leaves. So, reserve that corner of the window that receives the first rays of sunlight of the day and your ludisia will be happy and will bloom – always in winter and early spring. Excess water can make the ludisia's leaves turn yellow and fall off easily. To water, just use your finger: touch the substrate and, if your fingertip comes out dirty, don't water. The tip of your index finger comes out clean, it's time to water, directing the jet onto the substrate. If you bought one or more seedlings and want to plant them in a larger pot, use seedling substrate, making a small hole for each of the plants. Gently squeeze the pot where the ludisia came from and release the plant. Separate each of the seedlings and replant them in that small hole in the new pot. It couldn't be easier! Did you break the stem of the plant? No problem, you have a new plant in your hands. Before replanting the cutting, it is worth applying propolis extract or cinnamon powder to the cut areas to prevent fungi and bacteria from attacking the plant. Ludisia is very resistant to pests, but because it lives in a more humid substrate, its leaves can be attacked by slugs and snails. Use bait or manually pick them up; there is a link at the end of the description that teaches you how to get rid of these little creatures that are much more water than beasts. The growth of the seedlings will vary according to the location and time of year. If you can choose, keep the cuttings in a protected place that receives weak morning sunlight. It is also better to propagate the cuttings in a warmer season, since the popcorn orchid slows down its growth in winter. Spots on the leaves are common, but don't worry. Watering that splashes onto the foliage or some fertilizer can create these spots. There is no need to worry, the plant continues to grow vigorously and happily. To ensure that no spots appear on the leaves, professional greenhouses, such as the one at Acosta Plantas Ornamentais, take all the necessary care even when watering. In fact, Acosta has the incredible collection of ludisias, such as the "Lightning" ludisia (Ludisia discolor "Alba" x Ludisia discolor), with green leaves and golden veins, the Ludisia discolor variegata, which is a very light green, and the Ludisia discolor var. Nigrescens, with very dark leaves. These are not yet for sale, but you can easily find Ludisia discolor from Acosta Plantas Ornamentais in flower shops and garden centers. If you can't find it, show this video and ask the salesperson to place an order! Does your Ludisia not look like the one in the video? Here are three diagnoses and how to solve them! Leaves with spots, specks or that fall off easily: overwatering, just use the finger-meter tip at the beginning of the text. Etiolated plant without flowers: lack of sunlight. Gradually place the pot closer to a place that receives morning sunlight. Dry and brittle leaves: if you get that crumpled paper feeling when you touch the foliage, it is lack of water. With these tips, it will be easy to grow Ludisias and see them popping up in your pots and flower beds. Your collection will be a hit! Materials and plants shown in the video: popcorn orchid (Ludisia discolor), from Acosta Plantas Ornamentais –   / acostaplantas   Links Etiolated plant, what to do: https://minhasplantas.com.br/tv/segre... Recipe against slugs and snails: https://minhasplantas.com.br/tv/praga...