Z Blue Blazes x Zglm Rhein Harlequin

[silken]

It is a true Zygopetalum Murray Bridge. Mine is planted in moss in a large net pot. It came that way except I moved it up a size when it out grew its original pot. I have another one in fine bark that doesn't do much better, so not sure what is a good media. It seems to grow well in the moss and I don't let it dry out. Mine was in dappled shade with temps varying from high 80's to likely low 60's later on summer nights. Now it is in for the winter where it will eventually be around 65 in the day and 55 at night. I do have warmer microclimates for more heat loving orchids to sit but I never considered this to be one of them. It gets a mix of ferts including MSU, and orchid food type as well as occasionally some Cal/Mag and some kelp added in. Over winter it will be near but not directly under some T5 HO lights.

[orchidsarefun]

I'm not sure why its a problem child, other than to say maybe its the sphagnum that keeps it too cold ( as moisture evaporates ) ? Mine is in medium-sized bark with a little sphagnum mixed in. I have another zygo in the same pot - Alan Greatwood - that also does not bloom regularly. It may be that some grexes are not floriferous. This cross ( BBxRH ) has Louisendorf in its background and that one is a by-the-clock bloomer too.

[silken]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

I'm not sure why its a problem child, other than to say maybe its the sphagnum that keeps it too cold ( as moisture evaporates ) ? Mine is in medium-sized bark with a little sphagnum mixed in. I have another zygo in the same pot - Alan Greatwood - that also does not bloom regularly. It may be that some grexes are not floriferous. This cross ( BBxRH ) has Louisendorf in its background and that one is a by-the-clock bloomer too.

Thanks for the info. It took forever to bloom initially since I bought it as a 'supposedly bloom size'. But when it bloomed it was 2 spikes and many flowers and was just gorgeous. It's parents are not uncommon Zygos and there is a lot of mackayi which is a common species in hybrids. Oh well, I might re-pot into something else although the roots were awesome and it needed a large pot last time I re-potted.

[lotis146]

Nice! My Zygolum just opened a bud - 2 spikes, only 2 buds each - and it's colors are a bit more intense and I feel like the flower is bigger too. It's not completely open yet but I'm soooo happy. It's been outside all summer and in pretty bright light really. This plant has no spotting on the leaves. I plan to cross it.