Zygopetalum with Curling Lips

[jkbrower]

I recently obtained my first Zygopetalum. It was a nice, large plant with two spikes and numerous buds. Within two weeks I had seven beautiful blooms.

On three of the blooms, the lips have begun to curl. So much so that, instead of being a nice broad "bib," it has become almost a pipe. It doesn't look at all wilted; the lip feels firm and the color is good. It's just, well, curled in on itself.

Otherwise, the plant looks good. The first couple of flowers to bloom look great. The leaves look good. I haven't had it out of its pot, so I don't know about the roots.

It's sitting in an east-facing window, with about 60% humidity and good air circulation, and enough watering to keep it somewhat moist. The temperature is a bit on the warm side at about 80 degrees (I don't have central air).

Is this normal, or do I need to be doing something different? It's too beautiful to let it go south so soon.

[jaxorchidman]

Can you post any pics? How new are the blooms? I've had catts that have over curled and then straightened back out to normal. It might just take somoe time.

[jkbrower]

Originally Posted by jaxorchidman

Can you post any pics? How new are the blooms? I've had catts that have over curled and then straightened back out to normal. It might just take somoe time.

I hope you're right. As long as they're not wilting and falling off, I'm happy to wait and see.

The curling blooms are just a few days old. On the other hand, the first few to bloom (about a week ago) are not curling. Go figure.

I'll post a few pics when I get home tonight.

[FairyInTheFlowers]

Originally Posted by jkbrower

I hope you're right. As long as they're not wilting and falling off, I'm happy to wait and see.

The curling blooms are just a few days old. On the other hand, the first few to bloom (about a week ago) are not curling. Go figure.

I'll post a few pics when I get home tonight.

The fact that it is the freshest opened buds gives us the answer. Most buds take several days to fully open, so the lip will unfurl as the flower ages.

[jkbrower]

Originally Posted by TheBlazingAugust

The fact that it is the freshest opened buds gives us the answer. Most buds take several days to fully open, so the lip will unfurl as the flower ages.

I thought about that, but it didn't start to curl until after it was fully open, and they are curling the the opposite direction as while they were opening (the edges are curling back, not forward). And the first ones to open stayed open.

I do suspect, though, that I just need to be patient. We'll see.

[jkbrower]

Okay, here's some photos. The first pic is the first flower to bloom. It still looks pretty much the same--no curling:



These two pics are of the bloom with the most curling. The first is straight on, the second up from below to show the extent of the curl:

[jaxorchidman]

Give it another week. It should straighten out. If not then oh well.