Anoectochilus roxburghii × Ludisia discolor ‘Spiderman’

A trade-named jewel orchid linked to Ludochilus Dominyi

The stated parent formula Anoectochilus roxburghii × Ludisia discolor corresponds to the registered grex Ludochilus Dominyi, introduced by Veitch in 1865. Verified crosses between those same two species belong to that grex, including later remakes. ‘Spiderman’ is a later trade or cultivar label without a published individual history, so the label alone does not verify the parentage or identity of the clone in trade.

A. roxburghii is native from the Himalaya through southern China and Indo-China, while L. discolor ranges more widely through southern China and Southeast Asia. A cultivated hybrid between them has no wild population.

Care for roots and supported growth

Support, pruning, handling and leaf care

Anoectochilus roxburghii × Ludisia discolor ‘Spiderman’ may make a sturdier creeping stem than some small Anoectochilus, but it should still be guided across the surface rather than trained upright. This terrestrial orchid should travel across the pot surface without a trellis.

Watering

Water when the surface begins to lose its damp feel while the shallow mix beneath remains lightly moist. Distribute water across the pot and drain it fully; do not let the fine roots dry hard or remain in compact, waterlogged moss.

Substrate and roots

Anoectochilus roxburghii × Ludisia discolor ‘Spiderman’ grows through the surface of a soft, springy terrestrial mix. Coarse orchid mix dries unevenly, while old moss can exclude air.

Light

Anoectochilus roxburghii × Ludisia discolor ‘Spiderman’ needs soft, filtered daylight near a north-east window or under a diffused grow light. Avoid direct afternoon rays and acclimate it even to mild morning sun.

Temperature

Keep temperatures even while a new leaf is opening, since soft tissue responds poorly to a sudden cold night.

Humidity and airflow

Provide moderately high humidity around Anoectochilus roxburghii × Ludisia discolor ‘Spiderman’, with gentle airflow through the foliage. Do not use routine misting as the main method; it briefly wets the surface and may mark pale veins.

Fertilising

Apply a complete orchid or foliage feed at the very low end of the product-label rate when the hybrid is extending a creeping tip, leaf or surface root. Feed damp substrate and pause when visible growth stops.

Troubleshooting Anoectochilus roxburghii × Ludisia discolor ‘Spiderman’: normal changes and damage

• Dark velvet leaves carry a red or copper web: The vivid web-like venation is characteristic of plants sold under this Anoectochilus × Ludisia formula. Colour can vary between leaves without signalling a deficiency.
• Stems creep, branch and become less rosette-like: Some Ludisia-like branching is normal in plants sold under this intergeneric formula. Let firm stems run across the surface or pin them loosely for rooting rather than burying the fleshy nodes.
• A tall flower spike forms and foliage growth pauses: Flowering is normal and the traded plant may bloom freely. Remove the spike after it finishes if desired, then resume ordinary light feeding only when new vegetative growth is active.
• A node turns soft where it touches wet medium: Lift sound stems away from the affected area, cut out the rot and improve drainage and air exchange. A firm tip can be rooted separately as insurance.
• Red veins are joined by fine pale stippling or webbing: Those new marks indicate spider mites, not extra pattern. Isolate the plant and clean and treat every branch because mites can move through the low, spreading canopy.

Keep Anoectochilus roxburghii × Ludisia discolor ‘Spiderman’ away from children and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its effects after chewing or swallowing are unclear, and plant material can still cause an upset stomach.
• Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or do not settle.

The history of the names Anoectochilus roxburghii and Ludisia discolor

Anoectochilus combines Greek anoiktos, meaning open, with cheilos, meaning lip, referring to the spreading form of the flower’s labellum. The epithet roxburghii honours the Scottish botanist William Roxburgh. Discolor is Latin for “of two colours” or “differently coloured”, referring to the contrasting tones associated with the species.

Carl Ludwig Blume established the genus Anoectochilus in 1825 in Bijdragen tot de Flora van Nederlandsch Indië, page 411.

Achille Richard established the genus Ludisia in 1825 in Dictionnaire Classique d’Histoire Naturelle, volume 7, page 437.

Nathaniel Wallich first described it as Chrysobaphus roxburghii in 1826 in Tentamen Florae Napalensis, page 37. John Lindley later placed it in Anoectochilus as Anoectochilus roxburghii in 1839 in Illustrations of the Botany of the Himalayan Mountains, page 368.

John Bellenden Ker Gawler first described it as Goodyera discolor in 1818 in Botanical Register, volume 4, plate 271. Carl Ludwig Blume later placed it in Ludisia as Ludisia discolor in 1859 in Flora Javae, New Series, page 95.