Will Zygos grow in an Alabama windowsill???

[Roberta]

Zygos don't care, and Cymbidiums care even less. (They'll grow in dirt if it's well drained) rePotMe is selling a lot of "sizzle" rather than "steak". Products are good quality, but the vast number of variations on the theme unnecessary.

Cymbidiums are almost terrestrial... they do need good drainage, but like to stay damp and otherwise don't care about the medium. Zygos are maybe slightly less terrestrial, but still grow under pretty much the same conditions, just wanting a bit less light than the Cyms.

[lambo1972]

Thank you as always Roberta! Yeah, I do read sometimes folks don't buy into the "sizzle". But I have had great success with repotme mixes and will likely stick with them.
Better Gro worked well for me too on a few Phals. I just got 2 minis so I'm excited about those, a Neofinetia and a Twinkle Oro. Collection is expanding...Again, THANKS!!!

Originally Posted by Roberta

Zygos don't care, and Cymbidiums care even less. (They'll grow in dirt if it's well drained) rePotMe is selling a lot of "sizzle" rather than "steak". Products are good quality, but the vast number of variations on the theme unnecessary.

Cymbidiums are almost terrestrial... they do need good drainage, but like to stay damp and otherwise don't care about the medium. Zygos are maybe slightly less terrestrial, but still grow under pretty much the same conditions, just wanting a bit less light than the Cyms.

[lambo1972]

Hey Roberta! I'm starting to fear my zygo is collapsing. It's losing leaves, they will yellow then brown. Happening on all pseudobulbs, even the new ones. I bought it a year ago, and decided not to repot it. Since it grew 2 new growths, but looks like has been going down hill. Any suggestions? I don't have any pictures right now, but I just don't want to lose it. I have been keeping it a little more moist for about a month since I went to a local orchid show and that was the advice I got...Thank you as always!

[Roberta]

"Not repotting may be the issue"... Once rot gets into the plant, it can be fatal, and bad (broken down) medium can lead to rot. Photos would help. When you unpot it to look at the roots, include photos there too. Find out what is going on in that pot.

[Leafmite]

What are your temperatures? When you water, do you water from the bottom or the top? Do they get Calcium in the water/fertilizer? Are the pseudobulbs above the medium?

[estación seca]

I asked similar questions in your other post on this same matter.
Potting Soil for Zygopetalum?
Maybe moderator Roberta can combine them.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I asked similar questions in your other post on this same matter.
Potting Soil for Zygopetalum?
Maybe moderator Roberta can combine them.

The threads are different enough that I don't see how to combine them without muddy-ing the waters. Different questions still lead to similar answers.

[Leafmite]

Some Zygopetalum come from cloud forests where conditions are cooler and that is why the temperatures and the names of the Zygos are so important when answering this question. With the name, one can look up the ancestors and see if the temperatures might be the issue.

[lambo1972]

My temps range from upper 70s to mid 60s lately. I'm a windowsill grower so that's pretty normal for me. I water by soaking the orchid once a week, then I'll run water thru it one or two times a week if it's starting to dry. Everyone has said keep this one pretty moist. It had 2 growths come in over the winter, but just seems to be struggling. I use a balanced fertilizer 20-20-20 at half the strength recommended twice a month. Bulbs are above the medium...

Originally Posted by Leafmite

What are your temperatures? When you water, do you water from the bottom or the top? Do they get Calcium in the water/fertilizer? Are the pseudobulbs above the medium?

[lambo1972]

I am including several pictures that I took yesterday. The first one shows the plant when I first got it back in September of 2022. I decided NOT to repot it for the fear of stressing it. The other pics show various angles. The orchid quickly put out 2 new growths over the winter, which like most of the plant are now droopy and losing leaves. Just overall, it does not look happy. I saw a "Jumpin' Jack" at a local orchid show and it was gorgeous. I hate to lose this one. Thank you to all for advice. Please look back at my comments about how I care for it. I've gotten some good advice, like increase humidity and it probably should have been repotted. But it was looking good until a month or two ago....