Footcandles for Zygopetalum?

[Paul Mc]

I have an unknown Zygopetalum. Hopefully when it blooms I'll be able to post pictures and have you wonderful and knowledgeable people respond with thoughts. But in the meanwhile, I understand they do better inside throughout the year with steady temperatures. However, what kind of light in footcandles do you think I should give it?

[Bud]

In the home, they need bright light in the 3000 to 4000-foot candle range. Light is probably the most important condition Zygopetalum orchid plants require to produce fragrant blooms. Or placing them outside under the shade of tall trees during the summer months is much better. Do not place them directly in full sun (11am to 3pm)or the leaves will burn.

[Angurek]

These plants need bright indirect light.

Doubt you'd need any of these babies around your plant, though.

[Paul Mc]

LOL... So there is such a thing!

So I thought zygo's wanted even year round temps and could not withstand high temps like 90's and above. Is this wrong?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

They're fairly temperature tolerant. Most people have problems because of their watering regimen. The hybrids tend to be more forgiving in this respect than the species, but it's still the same thing - reduce watering during fall and spring, and go full bore during spring summer. They really only experience 2 seasons - a wet season, and a drier season than the wet season, but rain is experienced all throughout the year. I just don't know how to explain this any better than this.

I don't know the foot-candle measurements per se, but it'd be adequate to put them in moderately bright indirect light as per most of the commonly grown Oncs.