zygopetalum questions

[Rainshadow]

Well I'm mad because I did know better, have always just grown everything including a couple of Cyms and Paph, in bark with decent results. I'm just too orchid deprived and was trying to be extra nice to the Zygo.

I put it back in bark this morning, had only been in the mix 2-3 weeks but its roots were rotted about 1/2 way up. I'm crushed because its been set back and it has 3 new leads trying to grow. I think that mix was designed for people who just dribble a little water now and then, I tend to water heavily and then let things dry to varying degrees. I usually use those green grower pots with extra holes and slits cut up the sides and generally get robust, healthy root systems. I tried not to water Zygo too heavily but must have, and/or it needed more air.

I think I had the light about right and while the heat isn't ideal it will probably be ok with good roots, I've grown and flowered Miltoniopsis and can provide cooler nights. My conditions will improve as fall approaches.

Heres the really pathetic part! I had a healthy little oncidium and thought I'd try it in the mix too because of those thin roots, I'm going to put it back into bark as well. I guess the moral of this story is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Thanks everyone for good advice and comments about your plants, I appreciate all of it. This is a great forum (I have a strange urge to buy some named plants again however), Rainshadow

[silken]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

It can still bloom from such a small division, and they are very much mature.

While it is normal for the older growths to have all of its leaves eventually fall off, it is not typical of a fairly large plant with multiple growths to be completely bald.

In a large plant w/ multiple growths, the oldest pseudobulbs will be completely leafless; the pseudobulbs that are not so old will still retain the leaves that are on top of it until they age further; the growths w/ a newly matured pseudobulb will have the leaves on top of the pbs and the ones surrounding them; the growths that are developing new pseudobulbs will have the leaves that are on top of it and the ones that surround the pseudobulbs, and then there are the new shoots with developing leaves.

I would have expected the centre leaf at least, but nope, 2 very round bald heads poking out of the moss and then the new growth. All for the full price of a bloom size zygo $36.00. I wasn't there to have a say of what I got-my sister was picking up and delivering to me.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by silken

I would have expected the centre leaf at least, but nope, 2 very round bald heads poking out of the moss and then the new growth. All for the full price of a bloom size zygo $36.00. I wasn't there to have a say of what I got-my sister was picking up and delivering to me.

I apologize for being unclear.

When I said, "large plant w/ multiple growths", I should've specified that I meant a plant with more than 7 growths.

So, I would describe your Zygo as a small mature blooming sized division.

[Rainshadow]

Thanks everyone, all advice and comments were very helpful. I put the plant back in bark this morning, sure enough, roots had started to rot.
I tried to post a regular reply earlier but it didn't seem to go through, hope this one does and I don't end up posting twice. Rainshadow

[silken]

Originally Posted by Rainshadow

Thanks everyone, all advice and comments were very helpful. I put the plant back in bark this morning, sure enough, roots had started to rot.
I tried to post a regular reply earlier but it didn't seem to go through, hope this one does and I don't end up posting twice. Rainshadow

I hope it does great!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

"Rainshadow", Zygos are highly resilient. Don't give up on it until it's all dead. Even if it's mostly dead, there's still some life left in it.

Good luck.

[Rainshadow]

Thanks Philip, actuallly it looks ok, hasn't even lost any leaves but will see what it does now.

Sorry newbie posted twice....there is a page 2??

Rainshadow