Another zygo question. Too wet?

[ToxDocAR]

So, I bought a zygo for my new office window. Due to light limits, I really only have experience with paphs and phals. At the same time I decided to move my various orchids into orchiata based mixes (mixed with charcoal, perlite, leca, some NZ sphagnum etc). I ordered in some precision/fine orchiata with the plan to use for the zygo and a jewel orchid. I also bought some small and medium to use with paphs and phals.

I'm a bit freaked out. I've never had an orchid this moist before. I put sphagnum as a top dressing and it stays moist for days! Do zygos really like it this moist???

I'm considering pulling the poor guy out and replacing with small or medium orchiata with perlite, charcoal, leca and a bit of sphagnum.

[Roberta]

Zygos like to be more damp than dry, but not soggy. If it's staying moist for days, you need to either water less or use a mix that holds less water. For a start, you can remove the sphagnum, clearly under your conditions, that's too much moisture retention. I would suggest that mix with small orchiata and perlite (the rest is probably not needed, what's important is that it's open enough for air in the root zone, which the LECA would facilitate... skip the sphag) The mix you used is probably fine for the jewel orchids - those are terrestrials that are happy even in well-drained potting soil. But Zygos need to be treated as moisture-loving epiphytes, which means the opportunity for a wet-drier cycle.. not as dry as a Catt, but more like wet-barely damp.

[ToxDocAR]

Thanks. Looks like I'll disturb him again today to switch out media to small orchiata and perlite combo.

[Ray]

FWIW, I grew zygo's in S/H culture and jewels in straight sphagnum.

[ToxDocAR]

Well, I pulled it out of the pot this morning. Roots are in horrible shape. Hopefully it will recover with a dryer mix and some kelp extract. Woops.

[Ray]

Sorry, but damaged portions of roots don't recover. If the damage isn't too bad, they may branch, but if it is, they will have to be replaced.

You don't want a "drier" mix; you want an "airier" one. The plant still needs adequate moisture.

Transplanting should be kept to a bare minimum, as each change is a shock to the plant.

[ToxDocAR]

Sorry, yes, I meant airier. Mix consisted of small orchiata, course perlite, leca, and some small charcoal.