Zygopetalum help!

[aliceinwl]

Mine do fine with highs in the mid 70s to low 80s (typical summer highs) but we rarely get warmer than that. I have a watering can by the front door and give any of my high water plants a sprinkle in the morning as I head to work, then everyone gets a real drenching on the weekend. I have a bunch of plants together so I think the volume keeps humidity up. We also occasionally get marine layer at night so that helps too.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by swcheng15

It's hard to keep track of watering situations for every type of orchid. I need to work out a system. Any thoughts?

I adjust the potting medium for the different types depending on their watering needs, so that I can water a bunch of different ones at the same time. For instance, I have Laelia anceps (mounted or in baskets with minimal media) hanging above the Cymbidiums (in fine bark) - they get the same watering, as often as every day in the heat of summer. The Cyms stay moist and and the L. anceps are dry within 2-3 hours of watering - both are happy. Experience will teach you what the different types need, and then you can adjust the media so that you can water all together, and have each get the result that they want. (That way you only have to make the decision every 2-3 years when you pot, not every day or two when you water)

[swcheng15]

Originally Posted by rbarata

With time and practice you'll find your own system. It's just a matter of knowing by experimentation how your plants adapt to your growing conditions.
Monitoring followed by adjustments.

Thanks, Rbarata. I think it's throwing me for a loop bc I'm use to phals, and now I have a few new different ones to learn about. But yes, time and experience.

---------- Post added at 06:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:18 AM ----------

Originally Posted by aliceinwl

Mine do fine with highs in the mid 70s to low 80s (typical summer highs) but we rarely get warmer than that. I have a watering can by the front door and give any of my high water plants a sprinkle in the morning as I head to work, then everyone gets a real drenching on the weekend. I have a bunch of plants together so I think the volume keeps humidity up. We also occasionally get marine layer at night so that helps too.

THanks, aliceinwl! Good to know. My only thought about putting it outside in the morning (where I have great light, and mostly shade) is that while it's in my front yard, it's not closed off...people can come and take them. It hasn't happened yet to our amazon packages (knock on wood), but it can happen. But maybe in the summer when I'm home from work that might work if I can't figure out how to manage the zygo in my home. Or I find a place in the backyard with shade, which may have to be under the tree... Thanks for making me think and giving me ideas!

---------- Post added at 06:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:21 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

I adjust the potting medium for the different types depending on their watering needs, so that I can water a bunch of different ones at the same time. For instance, I have Laelia anceps (mounted or in baskets with minimal media) hanging above the Cymbidiums (in fine bark) - they get the same watering, as often as every day in the heat of summer. The Cyms stay moist and and the L. anceps are dry within 2-3 hours of watering - both are happy. Experience will teach you what the different types need, and then you can adjust the media so that you can water all together, and have each get the result that they want. (That way you only have to make the decision every 2-3 years when you pot, not every day or two when you water)

Thanks, Roberta! Makes total sense. I did add some moss to the mix, so it can retain a bit more water in between waterings, so hopefully that'll help. I certainly don't want to have to water every plant on a different schedule.

[swcheng15]

Update! I repotted the same day with new bark and some sphagnum moss mixture to help keep the media more moist. I also added a layer of leca to help keep the media slightly wet. I've also increased my watering to nearly twice a week, though I will check with layer underneath the leca before I do so. Just wanted to post an update.

[Roberta]

I definitely see progress, even in this short time.Well done!

[swcheng15]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I definitely see progress, even in this short time.Well done!

Thanks! I agree! Thanks for your help!