Zygopetalums

[bjames]

I have been fairly successful with Phalaenopsis, and Cymbidiums, and have seen a beautiful Zygopetalum Titanic recently that I am debating whether or not to purchase. I really don't want to spend money on an orchid that is tempermental and high maintenance. There is no one at the store who knows anything about any orchids, let alone a Zygo. Anybody with any experience and advice about Zygos? Is the care very similar to Cymbidiums? I really appreciate any tips for success.

[Aniko]

I only know that it's easy to grow, in similar conditions as Cymbidiums. Here you can find some short information.
Aniko.
http://www.sborchid.com/masterlist.p...me=Zygopetalum

[Anton]

I have had a Zyg Artur Elle for 3 years now and it is just as happy outside as it is inside, but, temperatures here in Oz are milder than up north where you guys are.

When it flowers we bring it in to enjoy the perfume, but at present it is out with the cyms under a large beach shade.

Have a look here, it is in between the green and brown orchids at the back top left, in a ceramic pot with a couple of rings around it, you can just see it.
http://www.users.on.net/~op_ink/AD/C...20Orchids.html

So, my advice is go for it.

[Aniko]

Hi Anton, I see you are a great photographer!
I've opened your website but I felt frustrated because I could not open the larger version of the pictures and the slide show didn't worked to me.
I don't know why... ?????
Aniko.

[latsyrc]

I love the tim tam orchid--I love those "cookies." Do you do tim tam slams?

[Anton]

FIRST: Aniko, there was a glitch which should now be fixed, I tried it on the weekend and today at work and it is working as it should now.

SECOND: Tim Tam Slams, no, haven't heard of them. When I was working in the States a few years ago, got hooked on Orio Double Choc, Double Fudge though. Leave Twinkies for dead.

We have a Tia Maria flavoured Tim Tam, ARE THEY NICE ???????!!!!!!!!!

[Anton]

Here's an image of my Zyg which I took with my cell phone, because when it was flowering I didn't have my digital camera and couldn't be bothered using a whole transparency film just for 2 shots with my SLR equipment.

[mayres]

So far so good with the one that I have. I grow it indoors during the cool months under fluorescent lights and then from May till the first part of October it was outside on the east side of my house. Seemed to do well and had great blooms this fall. I have it planted in fine bark and water it approximately once per week. mike

[Joaniep]

You certainly have a large number of beautiful blooms on that zygo Mike.

[jerrymeola]

Zygos do not like hot temperatures like here in Florida.

[latsyrc]

That zygo is gorgeous. One of those might be my next buy.
Mmmmmmm, Tim Tam Slams . . . one of my favorite New Zealand memories. Getcha a cup of Milo, bite off two opposite (kitty-corner) corners of a Tim Tam, stick one end in the Milo and suck. The hot Milo comes up through the Tim Tam like a straw, but it starts melting the chocolate too, so once you feel the Tim Tam start to fall apart you have to hurry and, WITHOUT USING YOUR HANDS, slurp up the whole biscuit into your mouth. It's warm gooey delicious chocolateyness. And it gets super messy unless you're good at it, but practicing is lots of fun.

[Anton]

Well, using the Tia Maria, Tim Tams, makes the Slam sound even better.

[Vasso]

hello Anton,
Your zygopetalum looks so pretty!!!
i have a zygopetalum for 2 years. Her leaves are doing very well, new leaves, new keikis, but she hasn't bloomed yet and there is no sign of a spike either.
I have her outdoors. i live in Greece, the weather starts getting cold now. We have almost the same temperature with Washington DC, but with less humidity. Although the humidity is high here since september. Do you have any idea what can i do to help her bloom? Is there anything i should be doing? I hope u can help me, 'cos i cannot think of sth.
Thank u in advance,
Vasso

[Anton]

Vasso, I only had ONE flower this season and 6 last year. I think it was having a rest.

I have it outside now under shade cloth and it has progressed from 3 bulbs to 6 now. So am hoping for a good flowering season next year.

We are insummer now with the temperatures regularly in the high 30sC, but it seems to be thriving under those conditions, so I'll just wait and see.

The flowers' scent were extremely strong when it had a lot of flowers and we could not keep it in the lounge room because of the scent. I put it in my son's bedroom (he has left home) and the scent permeated throughout the house and was more tolerable.

I wonder how strong all those flowers are on Mikes Zyg ?

You could try a high nitrogen fertilizer to get it growing in the off season and high phosphorus in the flowering season to help it along.