Zygonisia Cynosure care tips and showing my Zygopetalum Debbie de Mello Honolulu Baby

[greyblackfish]

I found each of my zygonisia cynosure growing out a little new lead. I was surprised because the blue bird arrived with a new lead that wasn’t doing well. It was withered and I pulled it off easily.

The medium I’m using is a mixture of sphagnum and the tiny bark. If somebody can tell me what kind of medium it’s called, I would be very thankful. It’s dark and usually in small flakes the size of sunflower seeds.

As for watering, I followed ES’ advice and let them sit in a little tray and water through the pot until the tray is filled. Some days I ignore them and some days I do the above steps. I’ve had some out of town trips where I’ve been gone for a few days and they have not fussed.

[aparnamane]

Originally Posted by greyblackfish

I found each of my zygonisia cynosure growing out a little new lead. I was surprised because the blue bird arrived with a new lead that wasn’t doing well. It was withered and I pulled it off easily.

The medium I’m using is a mixture of sphagnum and the tiny bark. If somebody can tell me what kind of medium it’s called, I would be very thankful. It’s dark and usually in small flakes the size of sunflower seeds.

As for watering, I followed ES’ advice and let them sit in a little tray and water through the pot until the tray is filled. Some days I ignore them and some days I do the above steps. I’ve had some out of town trips where I’ve been gone for a few days and they have not fussed.

Hi greyblackfish,

I was reading through this post, its bit old, but you mentioned you were successful growing zygopetalum, I have quetion regarding lighting for Zygo, I have one just repotted in semi-hydro in lava rock after blooming. I would like to move it to pop up greenhouse but curious how much light it needed? I am in San Diego, CA.

Thank you in advance.

[greyblackfish]

Originally Posted by aparnamane

Hi greyblackfish,

I was reading through this post, its bit old, but you mentioned you were successful growing zygopetalum, I have quetion regarding lighting for Zygo, I have one just repotted in semi-hydro in lava rock after blooming. I would like to move it to pop up greenhouse but curious how much light it needed? I am in San Diego, CA.

Thank you in advance.

Hi aparnamane! I’m sorry to say that while my zygonesia were growing well, they are not anymore. My blue bird has crossed the rainbow bridge and my white dove is barely hanging on. I’ve attached a picture so you can see my shame as an orchid beginner lol.

Mine were doing great under artificial light in San Antonio and the decline really happened after I moved to Houston. Even my zygopetalum saw a similar fate. I think they prefer a lot of moving air and cooler weather. I no longer have a big 16 inch fan blowing on them. They have always been indoors for me. I still keep it under the brightest window that doesn’t get direct sun. My cattleya seedlings get the same amount of bright indirect sun. I even have dendrobiums that have bloomed under this same light. Note, my oncidium gold dust did not like this window. It now sits by a darker window that gets a bit of direct afternoon sun.

I think my main mistake was I watered them too much. I used to water them again the moment I saw that the medium wasn’t soggy. My remaining one is probably still alive because I have since given it more time between watering.

I think your climate is more suited for this type. I used to live in San Diego however I only kept phalaenopsis at the time. Where you are is significantly drier yet cooler than both my locations. If you see success, please post again. I don’t have much hope for mine. I’d love to try again but currently other orchids on my wishlist take precedence.

[greyblackfish]

Sorry here is a photo. The second pic is to show how much light I’m getting on this window.

[aparnamane]

Originally Posted by greyblackfish

Hi aparnamane! I’m sorry to say that while my zygonesia were growing well, they are not anymore. My blue bird has crossed the rainbow bridge and my white dove is barely hanging on. I’ve attached a picture so you can see my shame as an orchid beginner lol.

Mine were doing great under artificial light in San Antonio and the decline really happened after I moved to Houston. Even my zygopetalum saw a similar fate. I think they prefer a lot of moving air and cooler weather. I no longer have a big 16 inch fan blowing on them. They have always been indoors for me. I still keep it under the brightest window that doesn’t get direct sun. My cattleya seedlings get the same amount of bright indirect sun. I even have dendrobiums that have bloomed under this same light. Note, my oncidium gold dust did not like this window. It now sits by a darker window that gets a bit of direct afternoon sun.

I think my main mistake was I watered them too much. I used to water them again the moment I saw that the medium wasn’t soggy. My remaining one is probably still alive because I have since given it more time between watering.

I think your climate is more suited for this type. I used to live in San Diego however I only kept phalaenopsis at the time. Where you are is significantly drier yet cooler than both my locations. If you see success, please post again. I don’t have much hope for mine. I’d love to try again but currently other orchids on my wishlist take precedence.

Hi greyblackfish,

Appreciate your reply.

Best wishes for your move and growing orchids at the new location.

I moved my zygo in walk in greenhouse and kept it near / bit above my phals so will get light bit more than phals and less that cats, but lets see. I will keep you posted here. As you mentioned regarding Oncidiun gold dust, I also have a couple of oncidiums, gold dust and sweet sugar, they are doing Ok, spiking right now in the greenhouse, but I had to adjust the lights for them every now and then as their leaves are becoming curly even I watered them regularly. Currently, sweet sugar is in perlite and bark mix, I am planning to move it to semi-hydro in lava rock once done with blooming.


Thanks.

[greyblackfish]

Originally Posted by aparnamane

Hi greyblackfish,

Appreciate your reply.

Best wishes for your move and growing orchids at the new location.

I moved my zygo in walk in greenhouse and kept it near / bit above my phals so will get light bit more than phals and less that cats, but lets see. I will keep you posted here. As you mentioned regarding Oncidiun gold dust, I also have a couple of oncidiums, gold dust and sweet sugar, they are doing Ok, spiking right now in the greenhouse, but I had to adjust the lights for them every now and then as their leaves are becoming curly even I watered them regularly. Currently, sweet sugar is in perlite and bark mix, I am planning to move it to semi-hydro in lava rock once done with blooming.


Thanks.

Ahh my gold dust lost two of the biggest pbulbs but made up for it by sending out 4 new leads. I think it’s overwatering and too might light once again. I experimented too much with the limited locations I have this year. I’m not sure I’ll be getting a spike this time. I nearly killed the what I believe is called nohacidium parquet. It’s been with me for two years and it’s not doing any better than when I got it. It’s my fault. I have this rookie tendency to want to overpot. It’s foolish in retrospect. Bigger pots mean less space for more. They were too wet for too long. I still have a lot to learn with the oncidiums.

There’s the same exact zygo available at Olympic orchids right now but I think it would be best to wait for the move. I can’t wait for a more permanent situation where I can set up a walk-in greenhouse.

Thanks for sharing!

[aparnamane]

Originally Posted by greyblackfish

Ahh my gold dust lost two of the biggest pbulbs but made up for it by sending out 4 new leads. I think it’s overwatering and too might light once again. I experimented too much with the limited locations I have this year. I’m not sure I’ll be getting a spike this time. I nearly killed the what I believe is called nohacidium parquet. It’s been with me for two years and it’s not doing any better than when I got it. It’s my fault. I have this rookie tendency to want to overpot. It’s foolish in retrospect. Bigger pots mean less space for more. They were too wet for too long. I still have a lot to learn with the oncidiums.

There’s the same exact zygo available at Olympic orchids right now but I think it would be best to wait for the move. I can’t wait for a more permanent situation where I can set up a walk-in greenhouse.

Thanks for sharing!

"I experimented too much with the limited locations I have this year", i can understand what do you mean, I am not much experienced grower, but I had orchids hanging everywhere in the house, patio, windowsill and not organized, so I decided go for walk-in greenhouse, so I can keep them collectively, so far its working other than the green cover it has doesn't provide much shade, some of orchid leaves getting burn, tried to cover with think cloth but not much help, now I have ordered 50% shade cove on amazon, let see how it goes.

Good luck for your move.


Thanks.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by aparnamane

"I experimented too much with the limited locations I have this year", i can understand what do you mean, I am not much experienced grower, but I had orchids hanging everywhere in the house, patio, windowsill and not organized, so I decided go for walk-in greenhouse, so I can keep them collectively, so far its working other than the green cover it has doesn't provide much shade, some of orchid leaves getting burn, tried to cover with think cloth but not much help, now I have ordered 50% shade cove on amazon, let see how it goes.

Good luck for your move.


Thanks.

Consolidating your collection in the walk-in greenhouse may be convenient, but may not be the best for a varied collection. In San Diego especially, you can grow many of the cooler-growers outside and they will benefit from the air circulation and light. There is not just one ideal environment for all orchids. You have two choices... stick to those that are suited to the one environment, or (if you want a varied collection) put the plants in the various environments best suited to them. (My personal choice, of course, is the second... to me, much of the fun of orchid growing is learning about the different types So of course I have a bias...)

[greyblackfish]

Originally Posted by aparnamane

"I experimented too much with the limited locations I have this year", i can understand what do you mean, I am not much experienced grower, but I had orchids hanging everywhere in the house, patio, windowsill and not organized, so I decided go for walk-in greenhouse, so I can keep them collectively, so far its working other than the green cover it has doesn't provide much shade, some of orchid leaves getting burn, tried to cover with think cloth but not much help, now I have ordered 50% shade cove on amazon, let see how it goes.

Good luck for your move.


Thanks.

Thanks! I really can’t wait to move

They call it Sunny San Diego but sometimes there’s a good 3 months where I haven’t seen the sun back when I lived there. I miss it! Anyway, when there is sun, it’s really sunny. I just got my grow tent that I’ll be setting up shortly. Very exciting

---------- Post added at 09:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:56 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

Consolidating your collection in the walk-in greenhouse may be convenient, but may not be the best for a varied collection. In San Diego especially, you can grow many of the cooler-growers outside and they will benefit from the air circulation and light. There is not just one ideal environment for all orchids. You have two choices... stick to those that are suited to the one environment, or (if you want a varied collection) put the plants in the various environments best suited to them. (My personal choice, of course, is the second... to me, much of the fun of orchid growing is learning about the different types So of course I have a bias...)

First option seems easier but I could be wrong. Definitely finding the right conditions around the house or outside is a fun and possibly risky challenge lol. I started out getting a little bit of each type and found cattleyas grow the best for me. It’s best to do a combination of both options so on bad orchid days, the ones doing well will cheer me on.

[Roberta]

First option works for those that are happy in the one set of conditions. The ones that don't like that set of conditions will languish and die. So if you want to grow only those that fit that one set of conditions, then you'll need to figure out which ones those are before you acquire new orchids.

Or, you can take advantage of the fact that you can have different environments where you live, and grow a larger variety. Of course you need to identify which might do best on one environment or another. But either way, if you want your orchids to thrive, you need to learn what conditions they want, to figure out what you want to acquire. If you use option 1 without learning first what will grow under that set of conditions, the survivors are by definition the ones that like the conditions. Natural selection... seems both harsh and wasteful to let the orchids sort it out by living or dying.