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Zygopetalum
Orchids (and other cool, bright and dry winter orchids):
This group of orchids is native to
southern Brazil, many found south of the Tropic of Capricorn.
In their native climate, where moisture is provided by drenching
rains from late spring through fall, followed by a drier winter,
Zygopetalums enjoy temperatures much like those here in the
San Francisco Bay area - winter nights may be in the 30s,
summer days can hit the 90s F, and sunlight is mild but bright.
When blooming, Zygopetaliums may be kept in comfortable indoor
temperatures, 50 to 60 degrees F. at night, with a temperature
increase during the day of about 10 to 15 degrees. On the
cool side, they are perfectly happy with nights as low as
35 degrees F occasionally and 45 degrees routinely. Temperature
is a factor in persuading these orchids to bloom again. They
must have nights in the 40s in mid to late fall. NOTE: Leaves
will spot when temperatures are high; it is common and does
not harm the plant. Also, leaves may drop each year or be
held on the plant for 2 years. When they become sufficiently
unsightly they may be clipped off. As with many orchids, these
require watering frequently enough to maintain a level of
moisture that is evenly, consistently moist. Of course it
will be wetter just after watering but the point is to never
let the plants dry out completely. They can be watered best
by placing them in a sink and running cold water into the
pot for 10 or 15 seconds, or alternatively an ice cube can
be placed on the bark medium in the pots and allowed to melt,
the slower trickle of water providing enough moisture to sustain
the plant. In this second method, the plants should nonetheless
be watered thoroughly from time to time to allow minerals
deposited in the bark medium to be rinsed out. Morning is
the best time to water any orchids. Once a week while blooming
will usually be sufficient for a large plant. When not blooming,
once per week is usually still enough; if your summer weather
is very hot, twice will be necessary. When watering, remove
the plant in its plastic pot from the decorative pot/basket.
Also, water sparingly during the cool months in late fall.
NOTE: Do not allow water to enter the funnel-shaped growths
as they come up Ð they can rot easily! These orchids greatly
appreciate frequent applications of very mild dilutions of
fertilizer. Many commercial brands work well, such as Miracle
Grow, Peters, Dyna Grow, and so on; in most cases, the label
will provide information on how much fertilizer to add to
a gallon of water to make a solution - but it is best to make
a far, far weaker one. For example, if the label calls for
1 tablespoon of fertilizer granules per gallon of water, to
be applied once per month, try instead about one half teaspoon
of granules per gallon, applied every other watering. Premixed
fertilizer can be kept for some time under a sink, or in a
cabinet out of reach of children (and away from light, which
will allow algae to grow in the water in unsightly fashion).
Fertilize less frequently through cold winter months. These
are orchids of bright forests, and so their needs for light
can be met with a bit of full sun in the morning - yellowish
green leaves indicate possibly too much light, a light green
is ideal. This means that the plants will grow and rebloom
best if you can keep them outside in an eastern (morning sun)
exposure. In areas of warm summers they may be kept outdoors
in dappled shade until the fall temperatures threaten frost.
Of these diverse orchids, Zygopetalums mostly bloom in season
in late fall - but can form a flower stem anytime; Cymbidiums
generally only bloom in their season, though some new kinds
bloom in summer as well. Most other cool dry winter types
bloom in summer, then grow slowly if at all in a dry, bright,
cool winter.
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