Zygo growths have all rotted off - Can I save this chid?

[RosieC]

Thanks Philip,

I'm not convinced the roots are in good shape. They were OK in the first pictures in this thread when I first found the rotted lead growths, but now 4 months on they are looking pretty poor where visible at the surface.

This is the same Zygo you commented on when I first bought it and it was nicely in flower. You said that if I didn't have a backbulb (not visible in my flower pics) then I might have problems.
My first Zygo

Well now I ONLY have the backbulbs! One large one and one small. I am hoping that the nutrients in these p-bulbs will be enough to sustain the new growth long enough for it to start it's own roots... not sure though

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Further advice...

Try down potting further. If you can get 2" pots (5 cm), then go for it.

Summer's coming around, and this should really start taking off then.

[RosieC]

Thanks King. I've bought some smaller pots since I last repotted this. I hadn't thought to repot this again mainly because I didn't expect it to do anything, but it's a timely reminder because I was about to do some repotting tonight and I will get this in to one of the 2" pots

[RosieC]

Ok update.

The roots all died, all I have left are the string bits from inside which I left on to help support it in a tiny tiny tiny pot.

The growth in the pic above got a bit bigger then seemed to stall. Then another new growth started... this second new growth is still growing and has put out the tiny tiny tiniest tips of new roots. It's still pretty small though.

I'm considering putting it in S/H to let the new roots grow in to that but haven't decided yet.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I think that it isn't necessary to grow using S/H with Zygos. But if you want to, you could try it out.

BTW, congratulations on the beginnings of your success with your Zygo. It's still alive with multiple new shoots and new roots coming out, despite being badly damaged.

See...

I told you these buggers were tough!

[RosieC]

Yeah, they really are tough! This one is clinging on despite everything.

[RosieC]

I was thinking of S/H simply because I'm starting to get interested in that in general and because an orchid with no roots can't loose them when transfered can it!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by RosieC

I was thinking of S/H simply because I'm starting to get interested in that in general and because an orchid with no roots can't loose them when transfered can it!

Anything can happen. I'd consult with Ray.

[Swamper]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

They most likely will if the root system on the plant is strong enough to make a comeback.

Zygos are very strong plants. They will never say die, even when they're dying.

Man , that's my kinda plant lol I gotta get one of these guys.

[RosieC]

An old thread but I wanted to give an update.

"Can I save this Chid?" was my original question...

well 3 years later and this same plant has just put out a flower spike... so yes I can

I did go with S/H and it seems to have loved it. It's roots are always green looking but I'm very careful not to get water on the growths. Spring 2012 after several growths had come and gone again (tiny p-bulbs rotting off soon after maturing) it was still just a single p-bulb... just with healthy roots unlike in 2010. But since then each growth has been larger than the last until I spotted the spike just now

---------- Post added at 04:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:32 PM ----------

Posted a photo of the spike here Rescue Zygo - Spike!