Root-bound hybrid Zygopetalum

[Orchidementia]

I have a few culture sheets for Zygopetalum, including a very detailed one for a species (which is pretty much the same culture info as the generic Zygopetalum ones, but with detailed temperature ranges). One way that Zygos are a little different from other orchids os that they do not mind being a little over potted since they grow so fast, and my own experience is yes, they grow really fast.

So here's my problem that I can't find any information for: I have a (pending ID from grower) hybrid Zygo that had outgrown its pot - so much so I had to cut the pot off of it. The good news - lots and lots of healthy roots. The bad news - it was so overgrown I couldn't get all the old medium out of the root tangle and even after extensive soaking, I couldn't loosen the rootball very much, so if there's bad roots in there or decayed medium, it's still there.

All my reading about Zygos say they don't like old medium, so I'm a little concerned. Its been repotted in a pot that gives it room to grow with new mix worked in s much as I could in the rootball, which I opened as much as I could. Should I wait and see, or try resoaking to see if I can remove more old medium and open the rootball more?

[articuno75]

Tough call. I would think that if you had already removed the majority of the medium I would leave the rest of it well alone. Trying to go after something like that might cause more harm than good by destroying good roots. As long as there is 2/3 fresh medium in comparision, I'd think you'd be fine.

[Orchidementia]

Originally Posted by articuno75

Tough call. I would think that if you had already removed the majority of the medium I would leave the rest of it well alone. Trying to go after something like that might cause more harm than good by destroying good roots. As long as there is 2/3 fresh medium in comparision, I'd think you'd be fine.

That's exactly my dilemma! Tick it off with old medium, or take a chance with those gorgeous roots? I really couldn't get much out of the middle of it; on the other hand, it seems to have 'eaten' most of its old mix and was mostly roots. I really don't want to annoy it - I love all my Zygos, and this one is especially pretty and vigorous!

Maybe wait a month, and if I don't see a new growth (it's still blooming and in my experience, they pop out new growths pretty soon after the blooms drop) then poke at it some more? They do enjoy repotting, so if I unpot it and see new roots, I'll probably leave it be and give fresh mix again.

(Also, for what it's worth, all of my Zygos have been repotted while blooming and didn't mind a bit - in fact, seemed to enjoy it.)

[articuno75]

Got Pics???? I wanna see. This is a species that I don't have yet and REALLY want to see about getting. They're just so cool looking.

[Orchidementia]

Of COURSE I have pics!!

This is the one in question:

[Orchidementia]

Zygonisia Cynosure 'Blue Birds'



Zygopetalum Blue Banks



Bollopetalum Midnight Blue 'Cardinal's Roost'



I also have a Zygoneria Adelaide Meadows, but I'm still waiting for it to bloom.

[jay]

Very nice Zygo's. I always stop and look at Zygo's but never buy any. I will have to look at the culture sheets a little closer but for some reason I think they would be difficult in my climate. I may have convinced myself of that even if it is untrue.

[articuno75]

There's one on eBay that has an Adelaide Meadows cross and another called Dinky...Dinkum... Well something like that. Anyways I'm interested in getting those, just haven't gotten the courage yet I suppose ( cooler growers compared to my conditons ). I love your Zygos!

[FLaCo]

Have you tried removing it with some water pressure...say from a hose or a finger squeezed faucet?

Yesterday I received to Zygo babies. It is the first time I grow these orchids.

[patlee]

OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH, I love that Zygoneria. Do you know where you got it? The zygo that does not have a name yet is really beautiful,too. When you do get an id, will you let us know?

[Hummer344]

I have run into that problem with cyms. The roots are so entangled that you can't get the old medium off. IMHO, if the plant likes the medium so much, let it keep a few pieces as a found rememberance. LOL

[Orchidementia]

Some culture sheets for Zygos, for anyone interested:

Zygopetalum Culture

Zygopetalum mackayi Culture

I live in a coastal area (I'm just a few miles from the Bay) and by sheer luck, leaving them outside is perfect for the ones I have. I've found they like to watered a lot and adding a little coffee grounds to their mix makes them very very happy.

[Orchidementia]

Originally Posted by patlee

OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH, I love that Zygoneria. Do you know where you got it? The zygo that does not have a name yet is really beautiful,too. When you do get an id, will you let us know?

I don't have a photo of the Zygoneria because it's not in bloom yet, but I got it from Gold Coast Orchids. The rest are from Trader Joe's (growers: Matsui and Pacifica).

[jay]

Now I remember why I have stayed away. Day time temps no higher than 80F. I will just have to enjoy the photos of yours.

[Orchidementia]

Originally Posted by jay

Now I remember why I have stayed away. Day time temps no higher than 80F. I will just have to enjoy the photos of yours.

It gets hotter than 80 here - they can stand temps up to 100 for a day or so as long as it cools off at night, they get plenty of water and they're not in direct light. They can't put up with it forever, but even a week won't hurt them (in my experience - remember, we had some awful heat in the Bay this year).

On edit: plus there's always INSIDE!! They do need a lot - and I mean a lot - of air movement to keep from getting spotty leaves, but a fan does the trick for me when I bring them in (plus leave room around the plant - about 6" - inside; outside with lots of air movement, they can be closer without leaf spotting).

[jay]

Well, I have trouble with the temperature drop at night. It stays pretty steady in the house at around 85F during the summer. It doesn't feel so bad because the humidity is only around 20%. I may try one in the future, but I have so many right now that are doing fine with the high heat and light levels.

[articuno75]

My day temps hover right on the money at 80 to 81. I think that's why I had and have trouble with the Masdies. I might also have trouble with these as well. (But it still never hurts to try! )

[Orchidementia]

Absolutely try one! They are so beautiful in and out of bloom and really not that hard to care for - just a little extra watering. Outside, mine live above my Dendrobium ceraula (an intermediate/warm grower with lower light needs) so they're not that picky; inside they live in living room closest to the window with a fan blowing on them from across the room.

I haven't paid more than $12 for one; many of them seem to be pretty inexpensive ... not that I'm enabling or anything.

[brookn]

What about cleaning the roots and old medium with some peroxide, it should help get some of any nasties that might be lingering in the middle.

[articuno75]

I haven't paid more than $12 for one; many of them seem to be pretty inexpensive ... not that I'm enabling or anything

It's not enabling... It's "creative encouragement" and I like your style.

Peroxide never crossed my mind. I might do that with the root bound Oncidiums that I have to repot later on.

[evagentry]

Your Zygos are beautiful, the Zygonisia is exspecially nice.Good growing!

[katrina]

Your Zygo crew is absolutely gorgeous!! Most of mine are not bloom size yet...hope they grow up to be just like yours!

Pat -- I got a zygoneria and a zygonisia on Ebay this summer.

[jerrymeola]

Jenny

The plant you are thinking of is InkyDink

I have having problems trying to link to the photo.



I raise Zygos here in Florida in my 95% heat. I do have some leaf tip damage but not bad. We grow them in pure sphag. They like the water. Mine have not dried out in two months.

Yes they are relatively inexpensive.

[kmarch]

Orchidementia, you're on the fast track to becoming out resident Zygo expert! You've made some great choices and it sounds like you're doing well with them. Eventhough they are very popular here in Australia, I have not grown any.

Regarding the repotting, I can say that with Paphs, who also like fresh mix - yearly repotting, they have hairy roots that stick to mix. I leave what does not fall away. Having a bit of old mix in the new does not seem to be as bad as having damaged roots. I do not know if this owuld translate to Zygos or not. It's worth a think though.