My first Zygo - any one got care advice - don't even know what it's related to
 

One of my purchases at the weekend was a Zygopetulam.

Since the picture was taken the second flower has fully opened and three more buds are at the stage that second was at. I thought one of the buds looked droopy and was worried it would blast but it's started opening.

I don't even know what alliance this is in or what it is related to. I have NO clue on how to care for it. Anyone got any advice so I don't kill this beauty.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_o4OXVkcS2VU/Sz...%20%281%29.JPG http://lh4.ggpht.com/_o4OXVkcS2VU/Sz...%20%283%29.JPG http://lh4.ggpht.com/_o4OXVkcS2VU/Sz...%20%284%29.JPG

I think its in the Oncidium alliance. I grow mine like my Milts and Bolopetalum.
Here's a link to a picture of Bolopetalum. I own one of these and it bloomed last Aug.

http://www.theorchidworks.com/varieties/img/Z278.jpg

bingo

As far as i am concerned my Zygos are treated the same as my Cymbidiums. Perhaps they will tolerate a little more shade to stop the leaves from getting black spots

Zygopetalums are in the Maxillaria tribe.

They like even year round moisture.

Bright shade to medium light.

Intermediate to warm temperatures.

Moderate to high humidity (60% to 100%).

Grows very fast. Blooms easy. Very fragrant (fragrance is usually from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm). Easy grower.

Forms spikes from the base of the newer growths.

Has pseudobulbs.

Yours seem to be all lead growths. I find it unusual how yours doesn't have a single growth with a single pseudobulb.

I don't recommend doing what the seller did (removing the backbulbs/pseudobulbs and dealing with only the lead growths). It's not a good cultural practice as it would not allow the younger shoots to use the stored energy from the pseudobulbs. This could cause stunting of the newer pseudobulbs. Subsequent pseudobulbs afterwards would gradually get larger, but it will take time.

I love the Zygos even though I only have 2 of them. They have a great frangrance to them. Mine would usually be fragrant before midday.

You're killing me here - every time I see you post about an orchid it's another one I need to get (or already have).

Good find. Is it a NOID or do you have a name to add to my wish list ;)

:rofl:

If you like this...

You might like Zygonisia Cynosure 'Blue Birds'

http://www.lowesorchids.com/images/Z...20Birds%27.JPG

That's it, I need to stop coming here! :evil:

Wow, I like that Bolopetalum, not come accross those before.

I'm still newish to all orchids with p-bulbs and I've bought 4 of them at the weekend.

Thanks Encee,

I bought my first Cymbidium at the weekend as well. I've really branched out this time as I bought the first Cym, the first Zygo, the first Onc, and the first Colmanara.

Prior to that I had a new-ish Miltoniopsis, a dying Miltoniopsis and a mounted miltonia which is actually doing OK.

It's all a big new adventure with all these new ones :biggrin:

That explains why I noticed it was fragrant when I bought it (arround midday) but have not noticed it since (been out of work when it would have been fragrant).

Thanks for all the info King, that will be a great help:biggrin:

It actually does have two p-bulbs. One is arround 3" high and 1.5" wide, the other is tiny at less than 0.5" high. The large p-bulb is hidden side on by the right hand lead growth in the picture.

It's not as plump as the p-bulbs on some of my other orchids but doesn't look too shrivlled either.

:rofl: I know that feeling looking at everyone else's pics. It's all the pictures here that got me in to collecting more than just one or two orchids in the first place.:biggrin:

You're welcome, Rosie. :)

Oh, well then that's good! :D

Don't worry about that, that's kinda normal. It's just an old backbulb.

Thanks King, that's good to know as I'm pretty new to orchids with p-bulbs in general.

Am I right in thinking that these 'lead growths' will develop p-bulbs or do the p-bulbs develop from somewhere else.

I've been watching my mounted Milt quite closely as it grows and I have seen growths of leaves only, which have then developed p-bulbs at the center pushing the leaves apart. Do these do something similar? (Sorry for the newbie question :blushing:)

Rosie as the growth matures you will start seeing the pseudobulb form. Same thing with Maxillarias and Lycastes which is where this group belongs to and usually the will bloom before the new growth is fully matured or so I've experienced.

Thanks Rolando.

So basically once these flowers are gone the growths they are on should continue to mature and form p-bulbs.

I've just noticed that there is a tiny tiny shoot at the base of the plant that could be a brand new growth. :biggrin:

Lead growths are the ones that will produce the pseudobulbs.

They'll do exactly what the Miltoniopsis did.

Sometimes they multi-spike. Two at a time, as in simultaneously.

Most likely a new shoot. Told you they were cake and fast growing. :biggrin:

However...

If it's a shoot without spikes then it could be a spike...

Brill :)

As far as I can see the spikes are coming from between leaves near the base of the new growths. This new shoot is right at the base looking like it is coming from the Rhyzome.

That is a beauty Rosie. I love the colouring. I have also just bought my first Zygopetalium Mackaii very recently.

Wow, she is pretty, where did you get her Rosie? The orchid selection in england is not to great in the uk garden centres!

also, where do you get your bark chips from?

Hi Sammy,

I got it from Dobbies garden center. They are more a Noth of England shop I think and ours is one of the furthest south of their stores, not sure you will find them where you are.

Bark is easier. I get that online/mail order from 'Orchid Accessories'. You can ring them on the number on the website and they are very helpful. I have been very impressed by the quality of the bark and CHC that I bought from them, and very pleased by the knowledge of the people I spoke to.

Orchid Accessories - www.orchidaccessories.co.uk

Brill, thanks Rosie, Happy new year and happy growing! x