How hard is it to grow Zootrophions?
 

How hard is it to grow Zootrophions? Anyone tried growing it and how do you grow it? I can't seem to find much info about it, so I guess it's a really rare orchid. All I know so far is that it prefers to be mounted and its flowers only open slightly to admit one small insect. Thanks for any info!

(And btw,the name sounds so unique...lol)

Zootrophions are mostly intermediate growing Pleurothallids.

There are a few that are intermediate to warm growing, Zootrophion hypodiscus is one of them.

If by rare you mean they're rarely grown, then yeah, you're right. But they're not terribly difficult to find plants if you're looking in the right places (depending on the species - Zootrophion vulturiceps is extremely rare - especially after the nursery that used to carry it closed down - Hoosier Orchids).

A few of the more commonly sold species would be: Zootrophion dayanum, Zootrophion endressianus, Zootrophion hypodiscus, Zootropion serpentinum.

Not a lot of people sell Zootrophion griffin, Zootrophion atropurpurea, and Zootrophion vulturiceps.

There might be others out there, but these are the only ones I'm aware of in the trade.

Shade to bright shade.

Temperature range depends on the species you're looking at.

Evenly moist. Don't overwater them. It's easy to, especially if you're growing them potted using full moss as the potting medium.

When using moss as a potting medium, don't pack it in too tight. And try not to use too much.

Humidity 60% and up.

Water must be low in dissolved minerals.

1/4 strength to 1/2 strength fertilizer. Non-urea based nitrogen source.

Grow potted or mounted. Mounted culture of Zootrophions takes a bit more experience.

Just so you know, I had problems growing them potted, btw. I grew them for a longer period of time using mounted culture. Unfortunately, I had no idea how demanding of humidity they were (not as demanding as Lepanthes, but a tad more than Pleurothallis). And I also had no idea how fast the mounts dried out at the time. I no longer have a problem with mounted culture of Pleurothallids, as far as the media drying out too fast is concerned. Took a while to figure out. Then there was the mistake of thinking they were cool growers (they're not).

Also be aware that the specimens for sale may not have the most stellar root systems. Not always, but most of the times that I've purchased them, I haven't seen a lot of specimens with strong root systems.

I only grew two species, btw:

1. Zootrophion endressianus
2. Zootrophion hypodiscus

Have you ever grown a Pleurothallis or a Pleurothallid before?

I have the Zootrophion atropurpureum one is mounted the other in a pot . My only gripe is it bloomed in June last year, I almost didn't see the blooms . It does not seem hard to grow .One is receiving medium artificial light the other one is hanging out with the Phalaenopsis ... Gin

Ah, interesting to hear. Thanks for the info. :)

No, I haven't grown a pleurothallid before. I'm eager to try, of course, but then there's the problem of low humidity indoors and cold winters where I live...

If may...

May I recommend starting out with plants from the genus Pleurothallis (Plths) first, just get your feet wet.

Some of the medium sized species are usually good to practice with. It'll get you acquainted with Plths and kin.

Alright, awesome! I think I'll need to start out with some easier varieties. What do you recommend? :)

Pleurothallis restrepioides
Plths ruscifolia
Plths hemirrhoda

has anyone ever tried a zootrophion in s/h ?

Don't know, John, but I do have customers growing them using the technique described here:

"Stretch" Your Growing Conditions

Ok thanks for the link ...I put mine in s/h about a month ago and it has 7 new leads emerging now after sitting still all summer in moss.

I am entirley new to zootrophion but when I did look it up it is a warm grower likes constant moisture but not truly wet ...I did keep it constantly moist in the moss but it simply did nothing and in fact lost one leaf so I put it in the very small grade hydrotron from the pet store and watered often but not in s/h.

It did start looking a little better and I saw a new green eye starting but that was it......I then sat the pot in was in in a small outer container and about a inch of water ...poof 7 leads are growing fairly quick now.

I am not sure yet what I will see in the long run but thought I would ask to see if anyone else had attempted s/h for them and had any input.I have not found any indication so far that anyone has but surely Im not the first.Guess I will get to be first on Ob to post results on how well it works with this one.