Zygopetalum help please..:)

[Bud]

I maintain my Zygos in medium media mix ...evenly moist by soaking it in a half pail of water for 5 min every other day(and put it back on its humidity tray)...I never wet the leaves ever...weekly weakly fertilizer of Algoflash alternated with seaweed mix. But I just replanted it early this year when it produced new roots...so maybe it is sulking on me...theres no blooms for me this season

[Rainshadow]

Well yours look better than mine that blew off the windowsill this spring and fell on its head out of the pot. It did bloom though.

Mine arrived last year as a gift 'helpfully' repotted in Miracle Grow Mix with the roots rotted 1/2 way up. I put it in bark and let it dry a bit between waterings as well. I don't know if that is ideal, I tend to underwater to some degree.

Rainshadow

[silken]

From what I have read, they shouldn't dry out while in active growth. But mine has not bloomed yet so who knows. I've had it since last summer and it was purchased as 'bloom size' from Paramount. I find I wait quite long for some 'bloom size' plants from them before I actually get blooms. It did grow one lovely new growth and I expected blooms and now that growth has put out a new growths that is about 1 1/2 inches tall. It is in moss in a netted pot and seems quite happy that way. Lots of good thick roots. I am really hoping for a bloom from this new growth.

I might grow mine a bit too warm in summer. May move it outside and see what happens. But then it will get rained on the leaves?? Does anyone else leave them outside? They would get rained on in nature!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I've grown them outdoors, but they are protected from the rain by the roof overhang. Maybe something similar will work for you.

[TiffanyP]

I have read in several books that rain water is great! I can't imagine it not being beneficial unless its progressive huntin no way am I a Zygo expert. Love them and want more but I need more education on them. I have heard rain water is the absolute.best. Even heard catching and saving it for waterings is amazing too. Only what I've read thought.

[silken]

I don't have many options for growing in a covered area. But I'll see. I do have a covered porch at the front of our house. Just wonder if it might get stolen being out there. I do have hanging flower pots that have never been stolen.

TiffanyP I always use rainwater. I collect it from the roof and even store a bunch over winter. Many orchids are quite sensitive to the minerals and high pH of tap water.

[TiffanyP]

Just wondering if you think it'll be ok to give my orchids distilled and culligan water I.specially buy with absolutely no mineral waters added. I have stopped entirely giving them my tap despite the landlord saying they have the best filtering system. Granted it is custom located in the shed I know it isn't R.O water and the tap leaves massive build up on my humid trays. Is the distilled and culligan ok? I did make sure NO sodium or anything is in it.

[WhiteRabbit]

Using distilled water - you should add a small amount of tap or well water to add some necessary minerals.

When you say 'Culligan' - I think of softened water, tho maybe what you are talking about isn't softened? No softened water for plants or other living things.

I use tap water for my orchids - I know there are some that do need quite pure water (some Masdevallias, Draculas come to mind), but those aren't likely to be found in a store.

[TiffanyP]

There is a machine at my grocery store that you can refill jugs in bulk. It just says purified water and I checked the additives and there aren't any on there.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by TiffanyP

There is a machine at my grocery store that you can refill jugs in bulk. It just says purified water and I checked the additives and there aren't any on there.

cool - just wanted to be sure

I do the same (get distilled or RO water from vending machine) for a few small carnivorous plants I have. Would cost too much for all my orchids tho.

Like I said - if using distilled water, add a couple tablespoons of tap or well water per gallon