Zygostates alleniana - Orchid Board

jkofferdahl · #1 03-26-2017, 05:43 PM

I first was introduced to this species in the mid-1980s by Steve, at Floradise Orchids. Zygostates alleniana, if you don't know, is a very small miniature with leaves about an inch and flowers maybe 2-3mm. I now have four mountings, and at least 7 separate plants. Each mounting has at least one spike now, though the more mature mountings have several. The species is that on which I blame my current obsession with miniature orchids, and I absolutely adore it. Anyway, these are the first flowers to bloom this year (you can see a second spike in the background):

Pattywack · #2 03-26-2017, 08:10 PM

Oooh how exciting! I have three mountings of Zygostates alleniana and two mountings are in spike currently, my first blooms. My first plant is a small stick mounted, tiny plant. It has never done much and I decided to buy another. I had found a post from Peter Lynn showing a gorgeous mount covered in these and knew I had to have another. The second and third mounts are multiple growths and both of these mounts will flower soon, I'm thrilled. I've had them all less than a year.

This seems to be a seldom seen plant for whatever reason, I just love it. So tiny and the flowers are beautiful! Congratulations on your blooms. I'm counting the days for mine.

jkofferdahl · #3 03-26-2017, 09:04 PM

Once these little beauties get started they just grow and grow. As a mounting gets really established it can produce a cloud of blooms that hides the plant itself. On mounts, all you need to do is water them once or twice a day and they thrive; in my experience they like to never quite dry out. I have a couple mountings of Zygostates lunata from LOC which haven't yet bloomed but are doing very well.

estación seca · #4 03-27-2017, 01:50 AM

The IOSPE photo is hilarious:
IOSPE PHOTOS

Pattywack · #5 03-27-2017, 08:12 AM

The first plant I bought has never been a strong plant, it grows but drops leaves quite a lot. I have that plant and another one from LOC in the same countertop greenhouse. Same conditions, and the one from LOC is in spike and growing well, never lost any leaves.

The third plant also from LOC, is in my Exo Terra with slightly higher humidity. It is the strongest plant and has two or three spikes. I really like these even when not in flower.

---------- Post added at 08:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:11 AM ----------

ES, that IOSPE photo looks like my plant! Lol