Zygopelatum

[Frogy]

i have a zygopelatum plant for the past 3 yrs it has flowered twice a year, but recently stopped and produced masses of new leaves and at least 2 psuedo bulbs, i recently notices 2 new flower spikes, my question is can i seperate them after flowering as the plant seem to be forming into 2 seperate plants. ( enclosed a pic) as it is becoming too heavy on one side and has to be supported.

[Ochin@]

One thing I've read several time on this forum, is that if you want to devide a plant, it is best to make sure each division has at least 3 healthy growths.
If it were my plant, once the blooms are done, I would repot it in a slightly larger pot, and would stake the growths to train them a bit more vertically. I like to have specimen plants rather than several smaller same plants. Unless you plan on giving away or selling the division.

[Stitz]

I think that Ochin meant to write to make certain that each division has at least three healthy pseudobulbs, not growths. There's a big difference between growths (leads) and pseudobulbs. That is very good advice however, it doesn't necessarily apply to Zygopetalum.

It is quite common for commercial growers to "divide" and use only one "back" pseudobulb from a mature Zygopetalum to start a new plant. This is not recommended for beginners.

I suggest that you wait until late February or early March before you consider dividing/repotting your Zygopetalum. That seems to be the best time for me. Your plant will have flowered, it will be rested. It will probably have new Spring growth beginning by this time. THAT is the best time.

Frogy, which one do you have? GOOD LUCK!!

--Stitz--

[Ochin@]

Yes , Stitz, that is what I meant, thank you for picking up on it.

[sunshine]

Your zygo definitely needs to be repotted. Also staking the plant will help keep it from tipping over. I don't like dividing my plants until I absolutely have too. I am limited on space.I have several zygo's and just love their colors and fragrance. Just recently repotted one into s/h and it seems very happy Here is a culture sheet for your zygo.

Zygopetalum Culture

[jerrymeola]

Zygo can be divided down to a single bulb and still do well.

The three growth myth comes mostly from dividing Cattleya but even with these I usually divide to two Pbulbs.

[orchids4me]

Informative thread as I also have a couple Zygos. I haven't needed to divide as of yet but as I said very informative thread on this topic.
Thanks
Emmaye

[Orchidementia]

To throw in my opinion (I grow a lot if these): it doesn't NEED to be divided; you can fix the 'tilt' when repotting by resitting the plant and temporary staking. I've repotted mine in spike with no loss of spike or flowers, but I agree it is better to give them a rest after flowering before repotting if possible. Zygos grow so quickly they don't mind being slightly OVERpotted; new roots will quickly fill the new pot (in my experience).

There are advantages to either leaving it as one big plant or dividing; either way, I'm sure you'll continue to be very successful with it!

[Orchidementia]

Originally Posted by Stitz

I suggest that you wait until late February or early March before you consider dividing/repotting your Zygopetalum. That seems to be the best time for me. Your plant will have flowered, it will be rested. It will probably have new Spring growth beginning by this time. THAT is the best time.


--Stitz--

I pay close attention to your zygo posts because I want to get better at growing them, and this brings me to a question:

Mine - which include species, intra- and intergeneric hybrids - produce new growths and spikes pretty much year 'round. I also grow them pretty "hard" -outside year 'round, which can get pretty hot and pretty cold (ok, cold for orchids - 40s to mid 30s). Is this an unusual growth/spike pattern, and does their being out in generally mild weather explain it? Or just dumb luck?

[Stitz]

Originally Posted by Orchidementia

I pay close attention to your zygo posts because I want to get better at growing them, and this brings me to a question:

Mine - which include species, intra- and intergeneric hybrids - produce new growths and spikes pretty much year 'round. I also grow them pretty "hard" -outside year 'round, which can get pretty hot and pretty cold (ok, cold for orchids - 40s to mid 30s). Is this an unusual growth/spike pattern, and does their being out in generally mild weather explain it? Or just dumb luck?

Thank you for your compliment!

Zygopetalum species are easily my favorite orchids. The colors, the fragrances, AND they are more temperature tolerant than most orchids....! You are SO fortunate to be able to grow Zygos outdoors year round.

Back when I kept track of temps every day, I noticed that my Zygos would not initiate flower spikes until the temp descended to 59F (15C) or lower. Of course, in 2010 that isn't true! A flurry of new activity began in July. I just had one suddenly give a spike and the temp might have been as low as 69F . Considering that the recent temps were in the upper 90s, I guess that the dramatic change in temp is responsible? Or, just dumb luck! I think that June (?) is the only month when I have never had a Zygo in flower. I have had Zygos in spike during every month.

I used to leave mine outside 'til the temps dropped into the mid-30s. I don't torture them quite as much any more. It's too easy to "slip" at the lower temps and tempt fate (frost!). Supposedly, Zygos are "tolerant" of light frost. IMO, it takes them to the very brink. They will recover....eventually. Now, they're indoors by ~ 42F.

Different species have different blooming periods. In my experience, intermedium/maculatum/and mackayi are more inclined to bloom in autumn and winter. Z. crinitum is more likely to bloom in late winter/early spring.

Since you grow hybrids, only the Lord knows when yours are likely to bloom! I grow species, only. I can't keep track of all the hybrids.

GOOD LUCK!

[Orchidementia]

Originally Posted by Stitz

Since you grow hybrids, only the Lord knows when yours are likely to bloom! I grow species, only. I can't keep track of all the hybrids.

GOOD LUCK!

Thanks!

I'd love to have more species, but they're hard to find! Any suggestions on where to find 'em? So far, I've only been able to find seedlings (which are now getting close to blooming size) of mackayi, maculatum and triste and I'd love to have more. I love my hybrids, zygopabstias, zygonisias, bollopetalums and bolleanthes but there's something about species...

[Stitz]

Originally Posted by Orchidementia

Thanks!

I'd love to have more species, but they're hard to find! Any suggestions on where to find 'em? So far, I've only been able to find seedlings (which are now getting close to blooming size) of mackayi, maculatum and triste and I'd love to have more. I love my hybrids, zygopabstias, zygonisias, bollopetalums and bolleanthes but there's something about species...

Decide which species that you want. Then, telephone Andy's Orchids with your wish list. Don't be shy. If it isn't on the web site, that doesn't mean that it isn't available. Most likely, you will speak first with Harry, Andy's brother. Harry will probably either speak directly to Andy while you're on the line or he might ask you to call back in a few days. Andy is often "on the road".

After Andy, other sources of uncommonly available species are any of the Brasilian vendors who come to the USA for major "Shows" or "Fairs", notably at Redlands in Fla. in Spring and SBOE in Cal. in Summer. There are other shows which might include NYC next year. There haven't been any Brasilian vendors at Longwood Gardens (Pa) yet, however I think that it's inevitable.

These vendors usually will ship to you after their obligations are concluded at the Show. The vendors vary. The best idea is to order from a vendor at a Show where you can pick-up the plants in person, for obvious reasons - in your case, possibly at SBOE? Since Zygos are more fragile than Cattleyas, you will want to keep the ambient temperature at the Show location in mind.

The last option is to import the plants yourself. This requires getting an import permit. It's easy. If you choose to import, get started now with the USDA/APHIS. By the time that you get your permit, nearly one month will be gone. Then, there's contact with your choice of vendor. By the time that you decide who, what, when, where, etc - it's almost Spring, 2011 here, a great time to import from the Southern Hemisphere!

I have been successful importing directly with Alvim Seidel, Orquidario Catarinense with Zygo species - they don't sell Zygo hybrids. Through many years, I have ordered ~ 10 times. Seidel knows ALL the ins/outs of import/export into the USA. My all-time record was a transit of only 5 days from their nursery to my door! Seidel isn't the only source from Brasil for direct importing; they have been the easiest for me, mainly due to variety, costs and their experience.

[Orchidementia]

Thank you so much, Stitz! I've contacted Andy's for "off-list" dendrobiums; I don't know why I didn't think to ask about zygos. Duh. I LOVE Andy's!

There is a big show coming up next month - I'll see if I can put the rest of your advice into practice. Again, many thanks!

[Stitz]

One thought that just popped into my head re: Brasilian vendors who come to the USA for major "Shows" or "Fairs", you can pre-order through the internet/email. It is essential to allow enough TIME for the vendor to get the appropriate documentation. Brasil is very protective of its plant/animal resources. While you don't need to dot the "i" and cross the "t" correctly on the forms, it is important before your plants even leave their country to give your vendors the time to process their paperwork!

Originally Posted by Stitz

After Andy, other sources of uncommonly available species are any of the Brasilian vendors who come to the USA for major "Shows" or "Fairs", notably at Redlands in Fla. in Spring and SBOE in Cal. in Summer. There are other shows which might include NYC next year. There haven't been any Brasilian vendors at Longwood Gardens (Pa) yet, however I think that it's inevitable.

These vendors usually will ship to you after their obligations are concluded at the Show. The vendors vary. The best idea is to order from a vendor at a Show where you can pick-up the plants in person, for obvious reasons - in your case, possibly at SBOE? Since Zygos are more fragile than Cattleyas, you will want to keep the ambient temperature at the Show location in mind.

[kmarch]

I recommend not dividing. Instead, repot into a larger pot and let the plant grow on. Larger plants flower better. While Jerry might be right that a 1-bulb division is ok, it's nto recommended. Divisions of less than 3 bulbs set the plant back and it will skip a year or two of flowering to build itself back up. Commercial vendors sometimes divide smaller than 3 bulbs but its just so they can get more divisions out of a plant. They also usually have optimal conditions so the plants recover more quickly. I wouldn't buy a division smaller than 3 bulbs and don't recommend dividing smaller than that for home growing.