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02-15-2021, 08:58 PM
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Jr. Member
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Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 7
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Advice on Zygolum Louisendorf repot
I have a few questions as a new grower so I’ll try to be as organized as I can here.
The first orchid I got was this Zygolum Louisendorf Rhein Moonlight that I have had since November. It arrived potted in moss. Not having any experience, I wasn’t sure if it needed repotting when it arrived but I am now worried that the moss may be old and breaking down. Also the pseudobulbs have begun to wrinkle a little, I don’t know if that is normal for this plant or if it’s a sign of dehydrating. If it is, I think I am keeping it moist enough so that would mean something else might be wrong.
I am nervous to repot even though I know I will need to sooner or later, but now the Zygo has been growing for a few weeks so it seems like it’s time to repot if I’m going to.
I have seen a few things that I don’t know if I should be concerned about regarding repotting. For instance there is a spot that showed up a few days ago on the new leaf growth. I know zygos are famous for their spotty leaves, but this one looks different from the ones it already has and may be related to a slight sunburn (I am now giving it less sun), in addition to it being on the new leaf. I don’t know if this is something to be concerned about, and if so whether taking care of it would add too much additional stress if I need to repot as well.
There also is what may be a flower spike stating in the new leaves and I don’t know if that should influence my potting decision.
Finally on medium. The plant seems to have been happy with its moss so far, so my first thought would be to use moss again but I have also learned recently that the zygo may have problems when we hit summer here. When I got it I thought that I was getting a good easy intermediate temp grower, but since then I have seen several people mention that it needs some cooler conditions than I may have soon. Here in the Brooklyn apartment winter has been mostly between 60F and 80F but I know that in summer it can be hard to keep the temp much below 85F some weeks. Given that, I was wondering if this may be a good candidate for semi-hydro as the evaporation may help keep it a little cooler.
Thanks for any advice, and also sorry for the long post.
(I have included some photos to illustrate)
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02-16-2021, 09:42 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Zone: 7a
Location: North Plainfield, NJ
Posts: 2,820
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Zygopetalums like fairly constant moisture, and they do NOT like drying out between waterings.
I grow in a greenhouse. I tried them in a bark mix, and I just couldn't keep them moist in that. They are back in a spaghnum moss/bark mix now (about 4:1), and doing much better.
Note: In the pot you got it in, the moss is probably packed very tightly. That makes it difficult to control watering. When you repot, if you use moss again, only pack it 'finger tip tight'.
It does look like a flower spike in the new growth. It is not ideal to repot with spike coming, but it can be done. Just be careful not to break it off.
Zygos often get spots on leaves. I wouldn't worry too much, unless they start to spread (which could be fungal).
I have no experience with SH, so can't comment on that option.
__________________
Kim (Fair Orchids)
Founder of SPCOP (Society to Prevention of Cruelty to Orchid People), with the goal of barring the taxonomists from tinkering with established genera!
I am neither a 'lumper' nor a 'splitter', but I refuse to re-write millions of labels.
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02-16-2021, 08:45 PM
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Jr. Member
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Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 7
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Thanks for the advice Fairorchids.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fairorchids
Zygos often get spots on leaves. I wouldn't worry too much, unless they start to spread
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That makes it easier not to worry over the leaves too much.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fairorchids
It does look like a flower spike in the new growth.
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When I got this zygo it was in flower, it started to grow the new leaves as soon as it stopped. If it's going to flower again will it start more growth after that? Then I could wait until after the flower to repot.
Do you have any advice on what to look for with moss to know when I need to repot? The moss was like this when it arrived and it doesn't seem to have changed much since then.
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02-17-2021, 02:23 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2017
Zone: 9b
Location: Central Coast of California
Posts: 1,163
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I grow mine outside most of the year. I’ve been growing in small grade bark in clay pots. Whenever the substrate approaches dryness, I water. I tend to overpot these a bit so it takes longer for the substrate to dry out.
I’ve found that they really don’t respond well to any trauma to the roots. Many of mine were potted in moss. I removed what I could but left the moss in place if removal would damage the roots. When they’re happy they tend to put out so many roots that they crack plastic pots.
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02-18-2021, 10:04 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Zone: 7a
Location: North Plainfield, NJ
Posts: 2,820
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This photo shows a Zygo in spaghnum/bark mix (4:1) after 12 months.
__________________
Kim (Fair Orchids)
Founder of SPCOP (Society to Prevention of Cruelty to Orchid People), with the goal of barring the taxonomists from tinkering with established genera!
I am neither a 'lumper' nor a 'splitter', but I refuse to re-write millions of labels.
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