Just Purchased a Zygopetalum Orchid - Ziggy

[Neenie]

I just found this great "Ziggy" and it is potted in potting soil. I have 2 others in a bark medium and they are doing good with new growth. Should I change the potting medium after the blooms fall off? I've always thought that Most orchids prefer bark. I try to stay away from spagum moss as well due to the moisture it retains.

[kmarch]

Yeah, Zygos are not terrestrial and so a bark-based mix is called for. Lots of folks here in Australia grow Zygos and many of them use coir chips with good results.

[Neenie]

Do you know if it easy to separate the kikis from the mature plant?

[jay]

Zygos don't actually have keiki's but they are new growths. These types of orchids, all from Oncidium alliance, are better if let to grow into larger specimen plants. They will not bloom unless there are enough of these pseudobulbs there. The flower each year from these new growths. As they continue you can get multiple growths with an incredible show of flowers.

This picture, although not a zygo but another from the Oncidium alliance, shows how you can have multiple spikes as the plant matures. This has 2 in bloom now with a third spike in the center getting ready to open.

[Neenie]

Jay - what a beautiful flower and healthy looking plant. Is it fragrant?

[jay]

Just a little with a floral scent. It is a Vuylstekeara Melissa Brianne.

Do you have any pictures of your new Zygo?

[sandra]

Yeah Jay, I was just going to say the same thing as Neenie. That's gorgeous. I think I'm going to get myself another orchid and give s/h a try again. Do you flush the water every so often? Also, can the roots and water meet or should the roots be out of reach from the water and just let it wick up? Talk to me Jay.

[Neenie]

Lets see if this works I am still learning this site and the tools

[jay]

Very nice flower! I like the display.

Sandra - When you transplant the plant into S/H the roots should be about an inch above the reservoir line. If they move into the water it is ok, but you don't want to force them into the water. See this link for some more info and results of some of my orchids after being in S/H for 7 months.

[jerrymeola]

Neenie

you need to do some research on your plant. The flower to me looks much more like a Phiaus, which is terrestrial and would be potted in a rich soil mix.

It is more likely the name tag got mixed, than that the plant was potted improperly by the grower.

Here in Florida I would grow Zygo in sphag and for that matter Phiaus do well in sphag. Both plants like a lot of moisture.

[Neenie]

Maybe this will show the plant better

[jay]

Those are some beautiful lady slippers. You should post some of those that you have in bloom too.

Nice collection and set up.

[Neenie]

I learning how to insert pics

[Neenie]

Thank you I do so enjoy my ladys. I will try to get the pic posting down.

[brookn]

That looks like a Phaius to me also.

[jay]

I love your multi-floral Paphs!!!

[Neenie]

This little lady is just starting to open. Very eager to see the full bloom.

[Neenie]

Ok- What is a Phaius?

[sandra]

Originally Posted by brookn

That looks like a Phaius to me also.

To me too brookn. These have been all over Florida this year.

Neenie, if you could go back to where you purchased this and see any left, I bet you'll find the label in the one you took, was wrong. I just recently bought a Phaius Dan Rosenberg and the foliage is extremely close, almost exact to the one in your pic. If it is a Phiaus, it'll need to be kept consistently moist and in very low light.

Your orchids are gorgeous, all those Paphs on that one stem, incredible.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by Neenie

Do you know if it easy to separate the kikis from the mature plant?

Jay's right, Zygos don't keiki. Can you clarify what you're referring to? Maybe with some pictures?

[Neenie]

I just added some pics. Lets name that orchid. I bought it at a small road side stand without a tag, DUH or I would know the type.

[kmarch]

Ok, the posts in this thread are getting confusing with the different orchids and the various replies. So let's sort it all out.

This pic you've posted is of a Phaius

In this picture, looking at the flowers, it looks like you have from left to right:a paph hybrid, a zygo hybrid, a green terrestrial to be discussed later, and a phaius mixed in wiht a Paph. philippinense.
The plant in this picture is IMPRESSIVE! It looks like some sort of Paph haynaldianum hybrid...with 7 flowers!!! I think haynaldianum typically has 3-5 flowers. It must have been crossed with somethingreally floriferous to even have the potential to have that many flowers. Wow...
And finally this orchid. This looks like one of the African terrestrials. Possibly a Sarcoglottis species or Stenorrhynchos species though probably not the latter since they usually have red-to-pink flowers.

There, now we've got them all sorted out and we know what's what.

[Neenie]

Thank You Kmarch. Could you please advise me of the caring for the Phaius? Now I have just added a different hybrid to my collection.

[kmarch]

I don't think your Phaius is a hybrid. I think it is most likely Phaius tankerville, a species. Hopefully one of the other members will be along to refer you to a culture sheet for Phaius.

[sandra]

Jay, thanks for the link. I'm going to give it another shot. I've got the Hydroton soaking now and am going to transfer this one noid onc. into it. I think in these Fla. conditions is where I'm running into problems to begin with but only with some onc.'s, not all. I can't keep fans going 24/7 here because of the rain and my patio isn't shielded from the outside. But, I've tried everything else with this one, might as well try the s/h on it now.

P.S. You give great tuitorials. Thanks much!

Originally Posted by jay

Sandra - When you transplant the plant into S/H the roots should be about an inch above the reservoir line. If they move into the water it is ok, but you don't want to force them into the water. See this link for some more info and results of some of my orchids after being in S/H for 7 months.

[tom499]

WOAH!!!

Sorry to divert away from the main topic of this thread, but those paphs are simply stunning!!!!!!

That one must have a spike a metre long?? Covered in Flowers!!!

More pictures please!! Those plants are superb specimens!!

You should be entering those into the photo competition and making some posts in the Orchid hybrid/species topics.

Top top plants

[jerrymeola]

Culture of a Phiaus is about as easy as you can get in Florida.

They want to be grown shady and moist, but not soaking wet. They can be planted in the ground as they are terrestrial. They can be left in a pot and placed in a shady spot outdoors or enjoyed indoors. I grow mine in sphag under my oak tree. Slow release fertilizer is the easiest care but regular diluted fertilizer works OK.

[Neenie]

Thank you YES it was a great find & only $20.00. I have some more pics and a question. While moving and arranging for photos I notice on the underside of the large Paph something fuzzy like pollen on a staghorn plant. Do these plants pollante if that is the correct verbiage? See if the pics show the fuzz.

[Neenie]

Thanks Jerry for the info.It seems like they produce beautiful flowers.

[sandra]

Neenie, I too think this is a tankervilliae or very close to it. Heavy shade, humidity and well watered.

[Neenie]

Sandra do you know if Paph or any orchid pollenates? This one has FUZZ - see pics.

[jay]

Can you get a closer photo, I am having a hard time figuring out what you are calling 'fuzz'.

[Neenie]

It is the yellowish part on the leaf. This is the best I have for now.

[jay]

Is there a texture change? Does it actually feel 'fuzzy'? If it is just a color change it could be that the leaf is dying, which they do over time.

Maybe someone else can see what you are talking about.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by Neenie

I notice on the underside of the large Paph something fuzzy like pollen on a staghorn plant. Do these plants pollante if that is the correct verbiage? See if the pics show the fuzz.

Orchids do not propegate like a fern. Their pollen is held in tiny sacks inside the flower where they're pollinated by insects. The white substance on your plant looks like it could be one of 2 things, either water residue or mealy bugs. Mealy bugs are small white cottony insects that leave a white fluffy substance behind. They usually group around the crown of the plant or where the leaves connect. Treatment with Safer's Insecticidal Soap usually takes care fo them. Follow the instructions on the bottle. The other possibility is water or fertilizer residue. If that is the case, it's nothing to worry about.