Zygo Advance Australia bud watch
 

I got this last January and ES posted extensive notes from a Society meeting at just the right time. It is in bright light (NE greenhouse window). I keep it damp in a bark, spag mix. The glazed pot happened to be the only pot I had at the time. I was nervous to try these as I read get were picky. Now I have two spikes coming! I am excited.

The foliage looks beautiful as well--no spots. Good growing! It must be happy in your location.

True Zygopetalums are actually quite easy to grow if you provide the correct environment. And to be honest, it really shouldn't be difficult for most people to provide those environmental conditions.

It is when you start getting into the intergeneric hybrids crossed with Acacallis (aka Aganisia), the Zygonisia, that's when things get hairy.

When referring to the intergeneric Zygonisia, it is best never to just simply address these plants as a "Zygopetalum". They are not true Zygopetalums. Orchids in the genus Acacallis are actually quite difficult to grow. When Zygopetalum is crossed with Acacallis, some of those traits that made Acacallis difficult to accommodate gets passed down to the intergeneric progeny, Zygonisia.

When you read about Zygopetalum, make sure people are really strictly talking about Zygopetalum, and that they are not just arbitrarily lumping the intergeneric hybrid Zygonisia into that mix thinking that it doesn't matter. It matters, especially for those who have attempted to grow Acacallis cyanea, which is the species of Acacallis that is used to breed plants such as Zygonisia Cyanosure.

The reason why Zygonisia was bred was most likely for the following two reasons:

1) To allow those who wanted to grow Acacallis but couldn't, (because of how difficult they are to care for by breeding the easier Zygopetalum with them), a way to have a plant that resembled Acacallis but was easier to grow. (This reason deals more with the cultural aspect of the plant.)

2) To create the unique colors and flower shape of Acacallis without the difficulties of growing an Acacallis. (This reason deals more with the floral aspect of the plant.)

I'm gonna repeat this:

Zygopetalum species and Zygopetalum hybrids are properly addressed when they are called Zygopetalum.

The intergeneric hybrid Zygonisia is actually Zygopetalum x Acacallis (aka Aganisia). They should properly, (and strictly), be referred to as Zygonisia not as "Zygopetalum".

This should help people sort out which plants are easier to grow than others.

Hopefully, this will also put some people's fears or concerns in the proper perspective.

I'm sure. And it took the bloom off my rose. My tag reads: "Zygo. Advance Australia 'HOF' AM/AOS." Thank you for the information. I understand that this plant was bred to be easy to grow.

According to Blue Nanta, the Advance Australia heritage is composed of Zygo species.

Thanks fishmom. When I got this plant, rbarata and I had lots of discussion about it's care. ES chimed in with useful notes. So, I was delighted to share my excitement over these two bloom spikes. Everyday someone posts delicious pictures of plants I can't grow. So all I wanted to do was share my excitement. Thank you for the encouragement. The foliage isn't perfect but, I am pleased.

You're doing great. This is a plant a lot of people can't grow because their temperatures are too warm.

Good growing, Carol. The plant seems vigorous too.
Can't wait to see the flowers.
I don't know how mine is growing as I'm not home. Can't wait to see it too.

Looks like a beautiful, healthy plant. Can't wait to see photos of the flowers when they bloom!

I am so excited! When I went to take these pictures, I saw it has two spikes per pbulb. What a surprise!