Repotting and fertilizing a Zygopetalum

[nynighthawk]

Howdy,

I bought a zygopetalum hybrid in the fall. Over the past few months, it put up a new healthy growth, but did not put up a flower spike as I was kind of expecting. From what I've read about zygo's, I was hoping that this new growth would develop side-by-side with a new flower spike. But the plant is healthy, so I figure that maybe it's just a young plant and was not mature enough to generate a flower spike this time around. Anyhoooo, it is what it is and I'm just hoping to continue to grow this plant in a healthy way and hope for flowers next time around.

What I'd like some guidance on is potting.

The plant came potted in bark chips, but it is totally overgrown and you can hardly see any bark because the roots almost fill the 3" pot and the plant is hiked up above the pot rim about 1/2".

I am seeing some new roots, now, and I'm wondering if I should repot this chid into a larger pot to accommodate this season's roots.

I don't know if this is a plant that likes to be rootbound or likes to spread out and stretch it's toes.

I'd appreciate any suggestions about potting and fertilization.

Thanks a bunch!

[InspirChid1712]

I am wondering the same thing! I just got a Zygo a few days ago, with spike and new growth happening concurrently. I have never grown one before, and I want to be successful because the blooms are so beautiful! Can somebody help us? :-D

[kiki-do]

Zygos like morning and afternoon sun, but avoid hot midday sun. Light green leaves with just a hint of yellow indicates it's getting max amount of light. Watering is a tough call. They should not be allowed to go dry, yet don't allow soggy either. Water once every seven to ten days, unless you're in a very hot area. Repot every two to three years from Feb. to June with a well-draining medium. Fine bark is good in mild summer climates, while a finer medium works well in warmer summer areas. Fertilize with high nitrogen (25-9-9) from Feb to July, and low nitrogen (6-25-25) from August to Jan. Feed one tsp to a gallon of water once a month. Provide good air movement.
This is what I have for a culture sheet for mine. Hope that helped. Zygos are beauties!!!!

[nynighthawk]

Thanks, Kiki,

I appreciate your suggestion for the higher fertilization rate. And for your experience with the light levels.

Would you recommend a similar fertilization schedule for Phaius? Not to confuse two topic threads, but I also bought two young Phaius plants - Mellow Yellow and Rabin's Raven - and suspect that they might also like a more robust feeding schedule than my other orchids (I only have the early stages of "the addiction", so I only have a few other chids). The phaiuses are in sphagnum and are putting up new side growths.

Thanks for your kind suggestions. :-)

I'm glad to see that you're in Maine. It's helpful to keep that in mind, since I'm in New York. I often have to scratch my head a bit and twist my brain around when reading feedback from folks who are in the deep South, West Coast or Southwest, etc.

Do you grow your orchids outdoors during the spring/summer?

[kiki-do]

Hi Jess,
The info I gave you came from a culture sheet I got off the net and I follow it pretty much (except the fertilizer, I use MSU formular from repotme.com). I've had three reblooms so far and a new potential spike coming now.
I don't have any Phaius....yet. So can't help you there. Yes, growing in Maine is challenging. I have put some of my orchids on my open front porch in summer, but honestly, I have so much trouble with bugs chewing my plants that I'm debating whether to do it again or not. It's an open airy porch, but somewhat enclosed. I never expected to have so much trouble ridding the bugs, saving leaves, etc. Most of my orchids are in a screened/glassed combo sunroom year round. Check out my photos in the gallery for an idea of my setup.
I wish you lots of luck on your zygo and all your plants. My addiction is up there, now. I have over a 100 plants and still don't seem to have enough.