How to Care for Your Orchids

Based on cultural instructions originally generated by McBeans Orchids.

Incorporating BMOS Members Suggestions.

ZYGOPETALUM

The "Zygo" originates in Australia and far South East Asia and is becoming more popular as hybridisation has reduced the size of plants. Most, but not all the Hybrids, are scented and although the colours tend to be dark purples, violets greens and browns they are relatively showy and easy to grow. Several of the smaller varieties can be grown on east or west facing windowsills. Hybridisation and new varieties bred in Australia and New Zealand in particular have extended the colour range to include reds and yellows and "Zygos" make very good pot plants. A mature Zygo may well produce several flower spikes, usually during the spring / early summer but sometimes can be induced to re-flower in around 9 to 10 months.

TEMPERATURE

Zygopetalums are extremely tolerant and can put up with quite low to quite high temperatures, however ideally they like a wide diurnal range (significant drop between day and night). The ideal range is a 10 degree C difference but the range tolerated can be as much as between 18 and 35 degrees C during summer and as low as 7 to 24 degrees C in winter. Zygos can tolerate winter temperatures as low as 3 or 4 degrees C at night for short periods providing the day temperature is quite a bit warmer. This can be quite confusing to regulate but don’t worry because your Zygo will be perfectly happy with an average of a night minimum of around 11 to 13 degrees C with a daytime rise to between 17 to 25 degrees C.

LIGHT

Good, bright light without direct sunlight is best though they will be quite happy with early morning or late afternoon rays on them.

WATERING

This orchid likes damper soil than most orchids and should never be aloud to dry out or stand constantly wet (it isn’t a bog plant or a cactus) otherwise water as necessary to allow damp growing medium but don’t let water linger around leaf / stem joints as grown rot may result.

HUMIDITY

Zygopetalums are perfectly happy with 50% humidity so no need to provide a micro-climate of warm damp air around the plant, however, your Zygo will like good ventilation or air movement around.

FEEDING

As with all the other orchids really.

COMPOST

The standard mix of mixed bark is perfectly adequate though as a more often than not a terrestrial plant the mix noted for "Slipper Orchids" will work if made slightly more freeer draining.

POTTING

As with most orchids only repot as and when necessary and like many other orchids will do best if the growing space is restricted, i.e. a pot allowing space for two new growths is enough.

OTHER POINTS

If your Zygo appears reluctant to flower yet is of sufficient maturity to do so try placing it in a cooler spot for a week or two when new growth begins to emerge, or increase the diurnal range for the same period of time as new growth starts.