Most popular Orchids, University Project, Please Help

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by slipperfreak

I need to clarify something here: the reason why I pointed out that I was the first person to mention that Zygos are obscure compared to Phals, etc. was because I am trying to maintain a "middle ground" on the initial discussion I was having with stefpix. I didn't want to sound like a complete jerk and disagree with everything he said (if you read our posts you'll understand what I mean), so when he mentioned Zygos I did say that they are obscure, but I also recognized the validity in his point. So I wasn't trying to knock you for repeating what I said or anything, I was just trying to emphasize that I see both points of view.

To me, you did make it sound like it was your opinion that Zygos could never become more popular. You supported what Andrew said, and seemed to openly disagree with what I had said. That's why I responded the way I did.

I'm sorry I had to babble on like this for clarification. It can be very difficult to communicate on the Internet sometimes - it's very easy to misinterpret what people are saying.

Clarified.

Yeah, it's difficult to communicate on the web. That's the way it is.

I found that out a long time ago. We can only do our best.

[Andrew]

Here in southern Australia, Cymbidiums are by far the most popular orchid. Zygo's are (or at least were) often recommended as a good genus for Cym owners who wanted something different, as they need similar conditions to Cyms with the main cultural difference (lower light requirements) being seen as bonus to people who couldn't flower their Cyms due to too much shade. Around 10 years ago, you could actually find the occassional Zygo at the local gardencentres in amongst the Cyms.

Since then, two of the major Australian nurseries who were trying to promote Zygo's have disappeared and, while there are orchid nurseries still selling them, Zygo's have been firmly pushed back to being plants for the orchid grower. The recent push towards growing Australian natives, which has allowed Dendrobiums to make a much greater dent in our "gardencentre Cymbidium" market than Zygo's ever made, has probably removed any foothold for Zygo's to make a return any time soon. There is probably the potential for some type of Zygo representation in the pot plant market if someone made the effort to push their cause. However, when I see the average member of the Australian public looking at Australian Dendrobiums and saying "I've got that pink one, my sister has that yellow one" I do kind of wonder how many Zygo's the Australian pot plant market could have sustained. Even at orchid shows it seems like Cymbidiums and Dendrobiums are fighting for space with Zygopetalums being represented by a couple of token Zygo intermediums.

[Angurek]

Originally Posted by stefpix

With those dark purple / almost black they would be perfect for wakes and funerals as well!

I dunno. They look more vibrant than morbid to me.

[trdyl]

You've got some beauties there Carl.

[stefpix]

was kidding about funerals [altho purple and black seem to be the colors for mourning] - i love those blooms - especially the first 2. what is the specie/hybrid name?

[slipperfreak]

I LOVE the last one!

[Leisurely]

I think most would agree that Zygopetalums are beautiful flowers but I think that their lack of popularity in the market is their large size, limited color and lack of variety that is found in Phals. Dens. and Catts. for example. I believe that if more hybridizing to reduce size and add more colors were done that the popularity would soar.

[Angurek]

Originally Posted by trdyl

You've got some beauties there Carl.

These aren't my plants, trdyl. I was just using these images to illustrate a point.

Originally Posted by stefpix

was kidding about funerals [altho purple and black seem to be the colors for mourning] - i love those blooms - especially the first 2. what is the specie/hybrid name?

The first is a Zygoneria (Zygopetalum x Neogardneria). The second is a Propetalum (Zygopetalum x Promenaea). If I remember correctly, the first is Zygoneria Adelaide Meadows, and the second is Propetalum Mathina.

Originally Posted by slipperfreak

I LOVE the last one!

I have one just like it called Zygo. Blue blazes. Great plant.