Will Zygos grow in an Alabama windowsill???

[lambo1972]

Hello all! I recently went to an orchid show near my home in Birmingham. Since then, I have the bug again. My phals bloom well every year with little effort and maintenance. Well after researching and shopping, I found a few orchids and bought them. One is Zygo. Jumpin Jack. I really hope this orchid can grow along with my Phals. Of course I realize this orchid may need more care, possibly different conditions, but for now, my windowsill is my only "grow area". My orchid sits in an east facing window. It is planted in what looks like a typical orchid mix of large bark, some moss and perlite. We keep our house in the low 70s, and since the window is old and uninsulated, the temp probably fluctuates some. It gets a little morning sun. The humidity here in Alabama seems mid to high, even in the house depending on the time of year. I have read a lot of different info on the Zygos, so what I'm wondering is will it do well and flower in these conditions? My Phals come back every year and seem to have settled in to our environment inside the house. Any input would be appreciated and I hope everyone is well! Thank you!

[Roberta]

It should do fine for you. Put it close to the window with your B. nodosa - it also can handle cool temperatures. It will want to stay on the damp side... so more water than the B. nodosa (or just a more water-retentive mix like smaller bark) That's how I manage a large collection with differing water needs... everything gets watered the same, but the medium /container gets tweaked to give the desired effect - baskets and big bark for the ones that want to be drier (like B. nodosa), plastic pot and small bark for the ones that want to stay wetter (like the Zygo). Medium bark and plastic pot for the ones in between (like the Phals)

[3rdMaestro]

Originally Posted by Roberta

It should do fine for you. Put it close to the window with your B. nodosa - it also can handle cool temperatures. It will want to stay on the damp side... so more water than the B. nodosa (or just a more water-retentive mix like smaller bark) That's how I manage a large collection with differing water needs... everything gets watered the same, but the medium /container gets tweaked to give the desired effect - baskets and big bark for the ones that want to be drier (like B. nodosa), plastic pot and small bark for the ones that want to stay wetter (like the Zygo). Medium bark and plastic pot for the ones in between (like the Phals)

I don’t know why I never thought of this. That’s brilliant!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by 3rdMaestro

I don’t know why I never thought of this. That’s brilliant!

Necessity is the mother of invention... with a collection of 10, you can make a "watering decision" separately for each one every time you water. With over 1000, you make the decision every 2-3 years when you repot, then don't have to think about it. Watering happens by "zones" with factors like sun/shade and temperature. Everything within the zone gets watered the same, but with different effect depending on the container (or mount) and medium (or not).

[lambo1972]

Thank you Roberta for the great advice on all three of my posts! I did the best that I could in researching when buying new orchids that would not only be pretty to me, but also I could grow and flower. I have read some literature about my new ones and received some advice from others. I was a little nervous after delving deeper into the species that I chose, but you have helped ease that. My phals have grown some and flowered once a year. And when I say with little effort, I mean minimal. I rarely repot, water every two weeks, and never fertilize. Yet they still put out great flowers. But I am getting more serious and I want these new orchids to do well so that's why I'm reaching out on these discussion forums. Thank you again!!!

[lambo1972]

Hey Roberta, one last question...Last night in reading the culture sheet that came with my Zygo it reads "no direct sun". My east facing window does get that morning sun and it is pretty hot sun until about 10 or 11 in the morning. Will this burn the leaves or damage the plant? I've read this particular Zygo has that problem. But the sun has never caused any damage to my Phals. And as always, thank you!!!

[Roberta]

If the Phals (which are low-light plants) are OK you probably will be OK, but keep an eye on things. Zygos have really thin leaves, and so may "toast" more easily. No culture sheet can exactly tell you about your specific conditions. I'd be a bit on the cautious side. Feel the leaves... if they are warm/hot to the touch, you'll want to move the plants, heat damage can happen really fast. A sheer curtain on the window will cut the intensity, and might be a good idea. The sun will shift over the seasons, so that's another thing to keep an eye on... what might be fine today might be problematical in a few weeks. Or, what was too hot a few weeks ago may be OK now. So it's part of the learning process... observe carefully, act accordingly.

[lambo1972]

Any advice on what potting media to use for my Zygo Jumpin Jack? I am ready to repot it. It has been growing well but has not spiked yet. I don't expect it to but it would be nice. Even though it is a pretty big plant already, the grower said 1-2 yrs or less. Anyway, I have read that Zygos need a slightly acidic mix like Cybidiums. Or should I just use a good bark mix like I use for my Phals? My zygo has pretty thick roots....Thank you as always!

[Roberta]

Bark mix. And for Cymbidiums, small bark, maybe with perlite. (I use Orchiata for most things, but cheap seedling bark for Cyms and they don't seem to care)

[lambo1972]

Thank you Roberta. I will use a bark mix but do I need a "slightly acidic mix"? Repotme is where I usually get my mixes and they suggest their Cybidium mix, which is slightly acidic, for Zygos. I think what makes the Cybidium mix slightly acidic is pine bark instead of fir. The mix is coir, small monterey pine bark, turface mvp, and smail perlite. Do Zygos really care?