Trying Zygo Again

[Clawhammer]

I have had a zygopetalum and zygonisia before. I loved the flowers and fragrance, hated the size and evergreen spotted leaves. I ordered Zygopetum 'Advance Australia' on a whim after seeing OrchidWeb describe it as 'compact' and with 'fragrant flowers that smell of hyacinth but with a sweeter overtone'.

It arrived with blemish free leaves. How do I ensure it remains that way?

Thanks in advance!

---------- Post added at 03:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:24 PM ----------

84f day / 67f night temps in summer
80f day / 65f night temps in winter
85% humidity

[estación seca]

Alan Koch addressed this very plant when he spoke to our Society a few years ago. Search here on DVOS and Koch and Zygopetalum.

As I recall it requires very pure water and temperatures not over 70 F / 21C. I stopped pining for it when I heard that.

Realize there are Z. species that grow warm, for example, Z triste. I have one and it's doing well.

Acacallis/Aganisia (depending on whom you believe) and Zygonisia hybrids are generally warm to hot growing and like lots of water. People here have had success in sphagnum moss, sometimes standing them in dishes of water. Pure water works best.

[Clawhammer]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Alan Koch addressed this very plant when he spoke to our Society a few years ago. Search here on DVOS and Koch and Zygopetalum.

As I recall it requires very pure water and temperatures not over 70 F / 21C. I stopped pining for it when I heard that.

Realize there are Z. species that grow warm, for example, Z triste. I have one and it's doing well.

Acacallis/Aganisia (depending on whom you believe) and Zygonisia hybrids are generally warm to hot growing and like lots of water. People here have had success in sphagnum moss, sometimes standing them in dishes of water. Pure water works best.

Thanks ES. Looks like the spotting is mostly caused from the accumulation of salts on the leaves and luckily my tap water is some of the purest in the country... I have hope!

My temps on the other hand are clearly not ideal. I'll let you know how it goes. I have it near some oncidium and miltoniopsis that are intermediate and are doing ok.

I'll set a reminder in my calendar to update this thread every six months for a while

[Leafmite]

Some Zygo's come from cloud forests and prefer the cool temperatures which make them perfect for a home that stays cool all year. In early March, I bought Zygo Advance Australia and Zygo Arthur Elle x Blue Blazes).

How I am growing these:
1) I am careful not to get water on anything but the roots.
From experience, they rot easily.
2) I did not try to remove any medium from the roots that did not fall off as the roots crack easily.
3) I bought plastic pots with plenty of holes and am using NZ sphagnum moss as a medium.
4) I use tap water to water these.
5) They are in the coolest room of our home, in shade (I would prefer more light but they are growing well).
6) I have not yet fertilized them but I will do that soon with a liquid, organic fertilizer.

---------- Post added at 01:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:03 AM ----------

The ancestors being from a cloud forest might be the reason that they prefer purer water. I have not seen any issues with them yet, though, but it has only been a few months.

[Roberta]

Zygo hybrids with a lot of Aganisia (like Zygonisia) grow warmer than the ones with cloud-forest ancestors. Aganisia cyanea is native to the Amazon region of Brazil, at low elevations.

[Clawhammer]

Just a quick follow up. So far so good for my Zygo Advance Australia. Over 3 months of 85 degree days has not phased it. It is blooming (wow, hyacinths) and has completed the new growth. No real leaf spotting, seems flushing with pure water is doing the trick.

Because of this success during my warmest months I ordered another (Zygo Redvale).

[Dimples]

I’ll be following your attempt as I’ve just acquired a Zygo. B.G. White at the Santa Ana Zoo show. A vendor had one in bloom and I was swayed by the scent so I bought a smaller but still sizable plant. Unfortunately I failed to check if it was suitable to my conditions, which are similar to yours. Warmer at night and little dryer, but relative humidity is still 45-65%. I’m hoping RO water and the fall season cool down will let it survive through the spring at least. Hopefully we’ll get a bloom from the new growth before it expires, if they truly won’t thrive in our space.

[Clawhammer]

Originally Posted by Dimples

I’ll be following your attempt as I’ve just acquired a Zygo. B.G. White at the Santa Ana Zoo show. A vendor had one in bloom and I was swayed by the scent so I bought a smaller but still sizable plant. Unfortunately I failed to check if it was suitable to my conditions, which are similar to yours. Warmer at night and little dryer, but relative humidity is still 45-65%. I’m hoping RO water and the fall season cool down will let it survive through the spring at least. Hopefully we’ll get a bloom from the new growth before it expires, if they truly won’t thrive in our space.

Let me know how it goes! My humidity averages around 80% this time of year so that may be helping. I also have good air movement for this plant as it is pretty close, and in direct line with, the greenhouse fan. I am convinced that a pure water flush after ferts helps avoid the ugly spotted leaves.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Dimples

I’ll be following your attempt as I’ve just acquired a Zygo. B.G. White at the Santa Ana Zoo show. A vendor had one in bloom and I was swayed by the scent so I bought a smaller but still sizable plant. Unfortunately I failed to check if it was suitable to my conditions, which are similar to yours. Warmer at night and little dryer, but relative humidity is still 45-65%. I’m hoping RO water and the fall season cool down will let it survive through the spring at least. Hopefully we’ll get a bloom from the new growth before it expires, if they truly won’t thrive in our space.

It should be fine where you live. Doesn't really need RO water but the leaves will look better with it. (Zygos tend to get ugly leaves pretty easily) That is a great one for fragrance ... some of the newer hybrids have pretty much lost their fragrance, like with roses. The old hybrids like this that are close to the species are wonderful!