Potting Soil for Zygopetalum?

[Jmoney]

I'm sure you can succeed with just about anything if the other conditions are fine-tuned. I bought a multifloral paph from a vendor in the carolinas that was potted in what appeared to be pure peat moss with the biggest root system I had ever seen.

that being said I don't think peat moss is good for my conditions, and would personally not try potting soil. (and they say most paphs don't like acidic media, but as I saw that is not an absolute truth). so it got repotted right away.

[lambo1972]

When you say miracle grow green and yellow bag, is that an orchid mix or potting soil? My Zygo seems to be struggling. It appears to in a medium bark mixture planted that way by the grower. I bought it last October. Leaves are yellowing then browning. Most of the pseudobulbs are losing leaves. I'm a windowsill grower with decent humidity 40-50% and a room temp that stays pretty steady but that my plant is close to an east facing window so there is temp changes. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks, John

Originally Posted by KatieM

I am zone 9a and grow all of mine outside. I was actually curious on this so I did experiment and I used the basic miracle grow green and yellow bag and I also used a very very fine oncidium type bark mix (seedling type mix). And lastly, I actually used a super fine cymbidium mix. As funny as it sounds and much to my surprise the one in the miracle grow actually bloomed the most and grew the best. They're all 3 the same type and in the same location. Doing that also allows me to not have to water very much. I do think doing anything heavier or more dense would definitely suffocate the roots. But as everyone says it's really about your environment as well. I personally would not put them in chunky bark. I get a lot of humidity and even here I don't think that would do very well. Take a look at repot me cymbidium mix that's kind of a nice in between. Best of luck!

[estación seca]

lambo1972 - What are your room temperatures? How and how often are you watering? How do you decide when to water?

That humidity is lower than Zygos prefer. If you heat your house in the winter it will get even worse. Consider setting a humidifier on it.

[KatieM]

Believe it or not the actual plain old potting soil. But they are outside and get a good amount of humidity as well. I am still very much experimenting myself and have different conditions than you so take this with a grain of salt 😉 What about trying a seedling mix like repotme and misting it to help with humidity? Set it in a tray with pebbles and water to increase humidity as well. Focus on humidity and making sure they don't dry out and use a small mix to help. I hope they turn a corner for you. Give them a kick of kelp as well that might help stimulate them a bit.

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[lambo1972]

We keep our house on 72, but the temps in the windowsill will fluctuate from the high 70s to high 60 at night, lately as it has gotten cold. We havent turned on the heat much yet. I water it twice a week once by soaking it for 10 mins, and another time just by rinsing it. Lately a little more as several folks have told me to keep it moister. But I stick a finger in the media and decide when and how much. Plus, I can see some roots and I water when they go white. Thanks!

Originally Posted by estación seca

lambo1972 - What are your room temperatures? How and how often are you watering? How do you decide when to water?

That humidity is lower than Zygos prefer. If you heat your house in the winter it will get even worse. Consider setting a humidifier on it.

[MateoinLosAngeles]

My Zygos are in a mix of precission orchiata and kanuma. They love the acidity and doing great.

[Dalachin]

I have only one zygo and it is in leca with a semi hydro setup. It bloomed recently and is putting out two new leads.

[estación seca]

I have seen a fair number of Zygos offered for sale at markets in very light potting soil mixtures with a large amount of perlite, probably at least 50%. The perlite contributes to soil aeration. I think this is probably a good way to grow them if other conditions are good. I've gently pulled them out of the pot at the market; they have extensive, pot-bound and healthy root systems.

It would be important to examine the potting soil closely before using it. Many brands nowadays compact tightly and squeeze out all the air spaces. Way back in the last century we had exceptional bagged potting soils that remained light and fluffy in the pot. Nowadays most consist of barely composted sawdust from lumber mills mixed with charcoal powder to make it look black. There is usually a generous amount of chopped plastic and branches, too.

My best advice would be to go to a hydroponics shop and talk to the people there. They know their products well, and can help you find what you need.

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I have seen a fair number of Zygos offered for sale at markets in very light potting soil mixtures with a large amount of perlite, probably at least 50%.

There are a number of products marketed as "potting soil" that would be appropriate for Zygos. Especially mixed with Perlite which may aid in preventing compaction. These may include tree fern fiber, fibrous peat like Pro-Mix, coconut coir (especially the less milled one), chunky peat, mulch, chunky compost or coco husk. These are usually marketed as aroid soil and mixed with perlite of different coarseness. They would all be neutral to acidic, retain water, and potentially have enough structure to prevent root suffocation.

Longevity is a different question, how long would take for the chunky peat to collapse and become and muddy mess? When I buy plants at my local plant shop they're always potted in muddy, messy, hyper water retentive media that literally feels like mud. Lots of potting soil is peat moss that has been milled and mixed with petroleum-derived polymers that act as "wetting agents" which allegedly spread the water more evenly. I think they act like a glue and give soils that gel-like texture and the reason why they do it is so the soil stays wet for longer, probably giving the plant an initial pump to make it look better in the eyes of customer, but inevitably sentencing it to die. I also think part of the reason is so the soil stays compact and doesn't move around when watering, creating a mess. These are products created to satisfy customers superficial expectations, not plants.

P.S. I watered my Zygos today after two weeks of neglect due to a busy schedule. Also humidifier has been off. Potted in tall plastic pots, 75% orchiata precision and 25% kanuma/perlite, and with 40% RH. The zygos were dry but not bone dry, they still had some dampness and condensation was visible inside the pot, roots have been taking a hold of the pot as well. So it might really not be necessary to reinvent the wheel.

[estación seca]

I think those potting soil mixes need to be watered like Phals. in sphagnum: Very lightly over the top, without soaking the medium. This way they remain evenly moist yet retain air. I think most garden centers overwater them.