Got 2 new Zygos!!!! Yay! - Orchid Board

orchidee_de_la_mer · #1 05-24-2008, 05:13 AM

Hello!!

I just got two new Zygopetalum into my collection. One is A "Heysen Trail" and the other is a "Dinkum Aussie". I was looking for some good solid advice on how to care for it. How often should I mist it? What are the minimum temperatures that I should keep them in? What sort of fetilizer does it prefer the most? What are the tricks to make it flower? Etc...

I live in the moutains in BC, our summers are cool (+/- 20C (68F)) and fairly dry. There is a significant drop of temperatures from day to night (sometimes 10 degrees) I like to keep my orchids outdoors where they receive actuall quiet a bit of sun during the day, and then during the winter I bring them back indoors where, unfortunately, there is a lot of shady spots...

Thank you!!!!

kiki-do · #2 05-24-2008, 09:28 AM

Hi Barb!

I have one Zygo and I'm no expert. My books tell me they enjoy morning and afternoon sun, but not a hot midday sunlight. A light green leaf with a hint of yellow indicates it is getting max amount of light...a dark green means it needs more.
Watering...they do not like to go completely dry, yet never let them be soggy.
High nitrogen fert. from Feb to July, low nitrogen fert. from Aug. to Jan. Repot every two to three years from Feb. to Jun in something well draining, like fine bark or fine orchid medium.
My first blooms since I got her are coming soon. I bought it in bloom last November.
At the very least, this will bump you to the top so others with experience can chime in. Happy growing!!!!!

Ray · #3 05-24-2008, 09:42 AM

I have about 10 different zygos, I grow them under S/H culture, and feed them with MSU formula at 125 ppm all the time. They like high humidity and a semi-shady light level, but I'd advise against misting them as it may lead to spotting of the thin leaves.