An unknown find at Trader Joe's

[ampaud]

I found this one at Trader Joe's this weekend, when I came back today it was still there and I just couldn't leave it again! The flowers are very fragrant and smell almost like lilac. There is no label on them other than "Exotic Orchid."

I have never seen blooms like this before, I know I'm a novice, but hope someone can point me in the right direction! If you have any ideas about what it is, it would be helpful if you could let me know if this type is temperamental at all!

Thanks!

[charlesf6]

Pretty plant. Nice find! Do not know what it is but someone will.

[Roberta]

It's a Zygopetalum hybrid. It would be impossible to identify it more definitively than that, but it is in the Zygo group. (there are some related genera possibly in there, with name changes I would not want to guess exactly which ones) It's beauty! These are usually rather cold-tolerant (I grow mine a bit shadier than the Cymbidiums) but do protect it from frost. Some are fragrant. Is this one? Unfortunately, a lot of the more recent Zygo hybrids don't have the fragrance of the species or some older hybrids. (sort of like roses) But they are beautiful, and may bloom a couple of times a year. Good catch!

[ThePinkCucumber]

As Roberta said, it would be impossible to identify it precisely, but I think it's very close to Zygonisia Cynosure (they seem to have been quite popular lately).

[Ray]

I agree about a zygo parent, but I think a bollea or pescatorea parent is also likely.

[Roberta]

If Zygonesia Cynosure (it DOES look rather like mine... with those pointy petals) it may want to be a bit warmer... one parent (Aganesia cyanea) is a warm grower. Mine lives in the greenhouse and is growing very well. http://orchidcentral.org/Images/Zygo...20Cynosure.jpg and http://orchidcentral.org/Images/Zygo...20Cynosure.jpg

[ampaud]

A cursory search definitely seems to match Zygonisia rather than Zygopetalum, which means for very different care! I am going to take a look at the roots this weekend, I haven't changed the potting material yet but it feels very dry. As I have lost a couple of oncidium to poor root conditions I am wary before I become too attached.

On another note, I found another Brassia when I got this one - I certainly hope I can keep it alive longer than the last one, who I am still trying to get to grow new roots in water treatment - fingers crossed!

Thank you all!

[Roberta]

Zygonesia is part Zygopetalum (It is a human-made genus created by crossing plants of two different genera) . Zgs. Cynosure is half Zygopetalum Skippy Ku and half Aganesia cyanea. The latter half is definitely a warm grower. The Zygopetalum part is half Z. intermedium (a very hardy species), the other half is Z. graminifolium, with no information and probably now a different name (but doesn't even show in the synonym listings. ) So the Zygo part may or may not be cold tolerant. But at any rate, this one should definitely be kept inside in the winter, in spring/summer/fall you should be able to grow it outside, in open shade. Just bring it in when night temps get down to 55 deg. F or so, and you should be fine. During the warmer months, where you live, most orchids will benefit from the better light and air movement outside relative to inside the house.

[ShadePlant]

I have never seen this at my trader joes. Phals and generic oncidiums only. Great find.