Zygopetalum bloom after 2 years!

[Nelson Wong]

I am new to terrestrial orchids about 3 to 4 years in. 2 years ago I bought a zygopetalum. It was $45, in an over grown 5 inch pot with over 10 pseudobulbs. I thought i scored the best deal ever!

I have never had zygopetalums before and watered and use the same substrate as my Paphs, which can hold a bit more water. Turned out it was a huge mistake and I had to take all the substrate out doubled the amount of perlite, char coal, and medium and large bark. I also realized I was watering it too much! It likes frequent, but very light watering, just enough to keep moist because high moisture makes the leaves spot.

Well after yearsrs. It finally bloomed. I am still learning though.

 

[Bob in Albany N.Y.]

Very nice. I struggle blooming these as well. I was told low light and couldn't bloom mine so eventually put it in high light and it bloomed. I water mine almost every day.

 

[big923cattleya]

Zygos and their Allies are not easy to grow. I have always been reluctant to try them. But recently, after 50 years of orchid growing, I figure that the time has come.
Why now? Well the above part is true, and I have always thought them to be extremely attractive! Greens, pinks, purples and browns, are colors that you just do not see too often. Especially on one plant.
They are pronounced cooler growers, they prefer temperatures of 55-75 degrees. A local buddy of mine does pretty good with them. He waters them well while actively growing. He swears by a winter rest period where he lets them dry out a bit more. He increases water and fertilizer when the days become noticeably longer and of course warmer. Light he says should be bright, without a lot of direct sunshine. Armed with that information, I figure to try a few.
Watch me kill them all!

 

[Nelson Wong]

Zygos and their Allies are not easy to grow. I have always been reluctant to try them. But recently, after 50 years of orchid growing, I figure that the time has come.
Why now? Well the above part is true, and I have always thought them to be extremely attractive! Greens, pinks, purples and browns, are colors that you just do not see too often. Especially on one plant.
They are pronounced cooler growers, they prefer temperatures of 55-75 degrees. A local buddy of mine does pretty good with them. He waters them well while actively growing. He swears by a winter rest period where he lets them dry out a bit more. He increases water and fertilizer when the days become noticeably longer and of course warmer. Light he says should be bright, without a lot of direct sunshine. Armed with that information, I figure to try a few.
Watch me kill them all!

I won't lie, I have two that are almost dead. They are completely different from Paphs, which I am pretty used to.

 

[NYEric]

Congrats on the blooming. Thanks for sharing. Good luck.

 

[Tony]

It's so weird to see all the comments about Zygos being difficult and sensitive, I grow them right alongside my multis. They get watered and fed the same and never see cool temperatures, I set my thermostats for a minimum of 65°f and during summer sometimes I can't get the temp much below 80 even at night. As long as they don't go dry they don't seem to care.

 

[Delilah]

It's so weird to see all the comments about Zygos being difficult and sensitive, I grow them right alongside my multis. They get watered and fed the same and never see cool temperatures, I set my thermostats for a minimum of 65°f and during summer sometimes I can't get the temp much below 80 even at night. As long as they don't go dry they don't seem to care.

View attachment 42405

Gorgeous. What media/mix are these beauties in please?

I love your pots with the corner vents too. Never seen those anywhere before. Perfect shape for Zygos.

 

[Ozpaph]

the leaves look concerning for virus. I think you should test it.
they grow like cymbids

 

[Ray]

I got rid of them before moving, but grew a number of zygos and their intergeneric crosses in semi-hydro culture, alongside my paphs up in PA.

 

[orchidlife]

They for sure can be temperamental but are great! I also grow mine under lights alongside slippers in temps in the 80s during the day. I have a couple big ones outside 24/7 also

 

[Jmoney]

I have all of two zygos (technically one zygo and one zygoneria); both grow like weeds in pure sphagnum. no spotting on the leaves, no wrinkled leaves. they take up a lot of water (and fertilizer) and I never let them get fully dry. I give them fairly bright cattleya level light. these double in size every 5-6 months for me.

 

[Nelson Wong]

I am about to repot mine because... well... over the past year that zygo. has been slowly dying and just not performing well.

I think zygopetalum enjoy the same amount of water as paph, BUT, they need much coarser substrate. Because I use Paph substrate for my zygopetalum and it apparently retains too much moisture and rots the roots...