Zygo upside-down blooms unusual?

[Jayfar]

I have a Zygo B.G. White 'Stonehurst,' my very first Zygo, that I bought in bud a few weeks ago. This week the buds began opening and now 8 blooms are most of the way opened, but every one, on both sides of each spike, is oriented with the purple lip petal facing upward, rather than down. Is this common with Zygos? I had it about a 1-1/2 feet inside a south-facing window, with the spikes facing the window (although I've now rotated it to better enjoy the blooms).

Also, what it the parentage of this particular hybrid?

[Angurek]

Zygos do this when they're moved around or re-oriented a lot (the flowers try to adjust to the light and become confused). Next time it blooms, if you have to move it for whatever reason (watering, pest control, etc), try to keep it facing in the same direction when you put it back. If the flowers come out in a hard-to-see area, wait until they're fully open before you move the plant around to see them.

At least your plant's flowers came out perfectly aligned. Usually, changes in the plant's location/orientation will result in flowers that are pointed in random directions. Of course, it's of no harm to the plant, but if you want to display it or have it judged at a show, you probably won't get too many points.

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by Angurek

Zygos do this when they're moved around or re-oriented a lot (the flowers try to adjust to the light and become confused). Next time it blooms, if you have to move it for whatever reason (watering, pest control, etc), try to keep it facing in the same direction when you put it back. If the flowers come out in a hard-to-see area, wait until they're fully open before you move the plant around to see them.

Thanks. That's kind of what I thought. Unfortunately, though I kept it oriented facing the window from the moment I unpacked it in-bud (I've only rotated it in the past day, after the blooms were already open upside-down), I have no way of know how it was oriented in Norman's greenhouse (I would guess strongest light from directly overhead). Then, too, ~24 hours in a dark box en route may have affected it as well.

I'll post a photo later this week. It's a real beaut and does indeed smell strongly like hyacinths, as I've often heard described.

That leaves my other question - what is the parentage of Zygo B.G. White 'Stonehurst'? A bit of googling hasn't revealed that info.

[WhiteRabbit]

I've had an occasional upside down bloom despite keeping the plant oriented the same - just happens sometimes I think

[WhiteRabbit]

parentage is Blackii x mackayi

The International Orchid Register / RHS Gardening

[Stitzelweller]

Originally Posted by Jayfar

I have a Zygo B.G. White 'Stonehurst,' my very first Zygo, that I bought in bud a few weeks ago. This week the buds began opening and now 8 blooms are most of the way opened, but every one, on both sides of each spike, is oriented with the purple lip petal facing upward, rather than down. Is this common with Zygos? I had it about a 1-1/2 feet inside a south-facing window, with the spikes facing the window (although I've now rotated it to better enjoy the blooms).

Also, what it the parentage of this particular hybrid?

jayfar, it is not "common" for Zygo blooms to open in an inverted position however, it isn't a rare event, either. It happens.

Your south facing window is a good location for Zygos as long as they aren't getting burned. Watch what happens next year and make adjustments as the seasons progress from Spring to Summer.

Z. B.G. White is a complex hybrid. Half of the parentage is Z. mackayii. The other half is Z. Blackii, which includes the species Z crinitum, Z intermedium and Z maxillare.

Your cultivar, 'Stonehurst' was awarded an AM/AOS in 1965. It is a vigorous hybrid. At least one grower won a cultivation award with this hybrid. I have seen this plant many times. It is always a joy to see in flower!

Hope this helps....

[Jayfar]

Here's where it gets stranger. Notice the lowest flower on the left-hand spike - no lip and a total of 4 petals and sepals.

Then on the right spike, the lower 3 blooms all have the column fused to the dorsal sepal.

All the same it's a beautiful Zygo and smells wonderful; the photo doesn't do it justice, just a quick 'n dirty shot not properly lit.

[Stitzelweller]

Originally Posted by Jayfar

Here's where it gets stranger. Notice the lowest flower on the left-hand spike - no lip and a total of 4 petals and sepals.

Then on the right spike, the lower 3 blooms all have the column fused to the dorsal sepal.

All the same it's a beautiful Zygo and smells wonderful; the photo doesn't do it justice, just a quick 'n dirty shot not properly lit.

Several years ago, I had a Z. mackayi that consistently produced many "defective" flowers. I knew that this plant was inbred (that's one reason why I purchased it). My plant produced intense colors and fragrance!

[Angurek]

Originally Posted by Jayfar

Here's where it gets stranger. Notice the lowest flower on the left-hand spike - no lip and a total of 4 petals and sepals.

Then on the right spike, the lower 3 blooms all have the column fused to the dorsal sepal.

All the same it's a beautiful Zygo and smells wonderful; the photo doesn't do it justice, just a quick 'n dirty shot not properly lit.

Since the rest of the flowers look normal, I'm thinking that it's probably a random mutation. The flowers should open up normally next time.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Jayfar

...I have no way of know how it was oriented in Norman's greenhouse (I would guess strongest light from directly overhead).

No, this isn't very accurate.

Norman's Orchids positions their greenhouses and plants very specifically.

The plants are facing west. Sun rises in the east, and the sun sets in the west. The orientation that the plants will grow towards is west.

Try it out, and you'll see.


You most likely switched the orientation while the buds were trying to orient themselves to the sun without knowing, because you had no idea how Norman even positions the plants.

Either that or someone at Norman's Orchids did it when they were in a hurry.