Cultivation Requirements for Zygopetalum

[Amanvari]

Can anyone provide me with the basic growing requirements and care for Zygopetalum. I have a plant purchased about a month ago which is in full bloom. Not only are the flowers spectacular to look at but the fragrance is also sublime. Just want to make sure I maintain this beauty!

[addictedcountryman]

i'm going to follow this thread too because my zygo's have leaves that have turned brown, but the other haven't...

[CoolPhrog]

Zygos are really very cool plants...the flowers are stunning and you're right the scent is amazing!

Mine (when outside) gets dappled morning light for a few hours and then sits in full on shade (bright but shaded) fo the remainder of the day...it get misted twice daily and I water/feed it every week-end with RO water and MSU fert...I grow my zygo the same way I grow my stanhopea and my gongora

Be careful not to let the plant stay wet but I've noticed that mine prefers to be moist most of the time- drainge (as with all orchids) is the key here...if a zygo stays wet then the leaves will turn yellow (or brown) and die off...mine got too wet during our summer thunderstorms and I lost entire clumps of new growth.

Hope this helps...keep us posted and

[Jerry Delaney]

I like this one provided by Loren.
Basic Zygopetalum Culture

[Ray]

I also have a guide: Zygopetalum culture

They natively grow cool and bright, but with air movement and shade, their temperature range can be pushed upward.

[Amanvari]

Hi there.

Thanks to all for the great information. I will keep you posted of developments...

[CoolPhrog]

Try to figure out what will work best for your plant in your conditions. Jerry's culture sheet has the light requirements at 2000 fc to 3000 fc where Ray's indicates 3000 fc to 4000 fc....I don't grow mine that bright and with 4 bloom spikes it seems very happy.

It's all about YOUR microclimate and how your plants adjust to your conditions....what works for a grower in Arizona may not work for a grower in Africa. Experiment with different locations in and around your home - don't worry, your baby will tell you when she's happy or unhappy....

[Floridian]

Hi irphrog, noticed you are up in Jacksonville. Do you think zygos would survive South Florida heat? I always wanted to give them a try but hesitated because I read they are cool growing. Any tips you could share? Thank you so much!

Cheers

[CoolPhrog]

Originally Posted by Floridian

Hi irphrog, noticed you are up in Jacksonville. Do you think zygos would survive South Florida heat? I always wanted to give them a try but hesitated because I read they are cool growing. Any tips you could share? Thank you so much!

Cheers

Hi Annette - I think zygos would be ok in your area as long as they have good air circulation and get misted at least a couple of times a day to help them stay cool (just make sure there isn't any standing water dropletts on the leaves). It gets pretty hot here and mine did well...I might also suggest using Pro-Teckt when you fertilize, it helps the plant to handle hotter temps... and keep us posted!

[Floridian]

Thanks so much for your quick reply! Yes I think I will give it a try.