Zygopetalum Orchid Care Indoors; Watering, Potting Mix, Fertilizer, Propagation, Problems
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Zygopetalum Orchids are some of the popular orchids on account of their colorful, fragrant, waxy, long-lasting blooms which occur in multiples in shades of green, purple, burgundy and raspberry with several patterns.
The blooms are held by tall, upright stems and will fill a room with a delightful fragrance. The leaves are glossy and strap-like. They are deeply ribbed and light-green reaching about 2 feet long. These orchids have a robust growth form and bear large, ovoid-conical pseudobulbs which are deciduous.
The genus name 'Zygopetalum' is derived from the Greek words zugon meaning "yoke" in reference to the yoke-like growth at the base of the lip (lowest flower petal).
Botanical name: Zygopetalum
Tribe: Maxillarieae
Subtribe: Zygopetalinae
Origin
Zygopetalum is a genus that occurs in humid forests at low- to mid-elevation regions of South America, with most species occuring in Brazil. Most are epiphytes but some are terrestrials.
Is Zygopetalum Orchid toxic?
No. Zygopetalum Orchids are non-toxic to both humans and pets. They are safe to grow in the home.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to add Zygopetalum orchids to your collection, you may acquire these orchids from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How to Care for Zygopetalum Orchid Indoors
To care for Zygopetalum Orchid indoors, provide bright indirect light, warmth of 15-290C, humidity of 65-75% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained orchids potting mix coupled with regular feeding during the growing season.
Zygopetalum Orchid requires regular pruning to keep it neat as well as encourage flowering. Repotting is needed only when pot-bound or when the soil completely breaks down. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
How often should I water Zygopetalum?
For lush growth and regular blooms, water Zygopetalum Orchids liberally in the growing period, to keep the soil consistently moist. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, drooping and yellowing leaves.
Decrease watering in the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist since growth is minimal at this time. Do not let the soil dry out completely for a long period as too little soil moisture can lead to wilting, drooping and yellowing.
Use tepid (room temperature) water as consistently watering with cold water can cause cold shock which can result in stunted growth. In addition, use chlorine-free water like rainwater to prevent browning of leaf edges and death of the orchid.
Use a pot that has adequate drainage and a well-draining potting mix to prevent waterlogging which can lead to rotting and plant death. Avoid wetting the foliage to minimize fungal diseases.
Zygopetalum Orchids like Vanda Orchids are tolerant of dry soil conditions due to the presence of pseudobulbs and their thick leaves. As such take care not to overwater the orchid as it may begin to rot.
Light Requirements
Where is the best place to put Zygopetalum?
Zygopetalum Orchid thrives in bright indirect light (dappled light) of 4-6 hours; place it near a bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunshine to prevent scorching of the leaves.
Too little light for Zygopetalum Orchid will result in drooping, leggy growth and no blooms. If the natural lighting is inadequate, use full spectrum grow lights to supplement it.
To determine if your orchid is receiving the correct amount of light, look at the leaves. The leaves of a Zygopetalum Orchid that is receiving the correct light are light-green. The leaves of an orchid that is getting too little light are dark-green while those of an orchid that is receiving too much light are yellowish.
Regularly turn the pot to ensure that the orchid gets adequate light on all sides for uniform growth as well as prevent lopsided growth.
Temperature & Humidity
Zygopetalum Orchid prefers a warmth of 15-290C. Warmer days and cooler night temperatures with a difference of 10-150C are ideal for the orchid. The cool nights are neede to trigger flowering.
Keep Zygopetalum away from sources of drafts like heat sources, radiators, hot air vents AC units, open doors, drafty windows and others, to prevent sudden temperature changes which can result in reduced growth, wilting and yellowing of leaves.
Zygopetalum Orchid flourishes in a humidity of 65-75%. Too low humidity (dry air), especially in winter, will cause browning of leaf tips and edges.
To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or grow the orchid in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen or other humid areas in the home. Do not mist the leaves and maintain good air circulation to reduce fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
What is the best fertilizer for Zygopetalum?
Feed Zygopetalum Orchids with an orchid's fertilizer every 2 weeks in the growing season. Ensure to followr the manufacturer's recommendations. Stop feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time. Do not feed an orchid that is in flower.
It is better to err on the side of underfeeding than overfeeding as it can result in loss of roots and death of the orchid. Overfeeding can also lead to vegetative growth at the expense of flower production.
Potting Mix
The best potting mix for Zygopetalum Orchid is a rich, loose, free-draining, bark soil to prevent waterlogging while providing the required nutrients. An orchid potting mix is ideal this plant.
Repotting
Zygopetalum Orchids bloom best when they are pot-bound. Repot only when growth begins to suffer; when the orchid has outgrown its pot, and the new growth reaches out over the edge of the pot, or when the soil has broken down completely.
Basically repotting a Zygopetalum Orchid every 2-3 years should be adequate. Repot when new growth begins, shortly after blooming is over. Do not repot an orchid that is in flower as it may shorten the flowering season.
Use a pot with proper drainage holes or slits as the roots need good air circulation. The pot should be only 1 size larger than the current one. When repotting, shake off excess soil and trim off any dried and shrivelled pseudobulbs. The large orchids can be divided to propagate new plants. Take a look at these ceramic orchid pots on Amazon.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Zygopetalum Orchid is easy. Remove dead and diseased leaves by cutting them at the base with sharp scissors or a knife.
When flowering is over, cut the flower stalk 1 inch above the 3rd node from the bottom.
Occasionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust to increase surface area for light absorption.
Zygopetalum Propagation
Zygopetalum Orchid is best propagated by rhizome division when flowering is over, at the beginning of the growing season.
Propagating Zygopetalum Orchid by rhizome division
- Gently split the rhizome into sections while ensuring there are at least 3 shoots on each section.
- Seperate the roots attached to each division from the mother orchid root-ball. Remove the old potting soil attached to the section roots.
- Select a pot about 1-2 inches larger than the pseudobulb. Ensure the pot has enough drainage holes and slits to prevent rotting.
- Position each section in the center of the pot, bury the roots while ensuring that the bottom of the pseudobulb is level with the top of the soil.
- Stake each newly repotted plant to prevent it from toppling over.
- Place the set up in a well-lit place, away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.
- Wet the soil lightly to enhance root development. Avoid overwatering to prevent rotting.
- Allow enough time for the establishment of the new orchids, after which you can begin routine care.
Zygopetalum Orchid Problems & Remedies
Zygopetalum Orchid problems are lack of blooms, drooping leaves, brown & dry leaf spots, black leaf tips, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Lack of blooms
Lack of blooms on Zygopetalum Orchid is caused by low light, nutrients deficiency, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, dry air or temperature stress.
How to fix it
Low light: Move the orchid to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed the orchid every 2 weeks with an orchids fertilizer in spring and summer.
Inconsistent watering: Water the orchid when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry and do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged period.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with proper drainage and a well-draining orchids soil.
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together to raise humidity.
Temperature stress: Keep the orchid away from sources of drafts like heat sources, open doors, drafty windows, hot air vents, AC units among others.
Drooping leaves
Drooping leaves on Zygopetalum Orchid are caused by soggy soil, inconsistent watering or drafts.
How to fix it
Soggy soil: Use a pot with proper drainage holes and a free-draining orchids potting soil.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry and do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a long period.
Drafts: Keep the orchid away from sources of drafts like open doors, drafty windows, hot air vents, heat sources, AC units among others.
Brown & dry leaf spots
Exposing Zygopetalum Orchid to direct sunshine will result in scorch marks which are brown, dry spots on the leaves.
How to fix it
Move the orchid to a shadier spot or use a light curtain or sheer curtain to filter the sunrays.
Black leaf tips
Black leaf tips on Zygopetalum Orchid are due to presence of chemicals like chlorine and flourides in the water or accumulation of salts in the soil.
How to fix it
Use chlorine-free water only and regularly, flush out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes.
Pests
Common pests of Zygopetalum Orchids are mealybugs, scale insects, slugs and snails.
How to fix it
- Isolate the infested orchid to prevent spread to other plants.
- Treat the infested orchid with neem oil as per the manufacturer's instructions.
- Regularly inspect the orchid for these pests and take timely control measures.
- Maintain the orchid well pruned to depress the pests populations.
- Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a humidifier to elevate humidity as it discourages the pests.
Diseases
Zygopetalum Orchid is prone to powdery mildew which presents as white powdery dust on the leaves. It is prevalent in overdamp conditions coupled with poor air circulation.
How to fix it
- Seperate the affected orchide to reduce spread to the rest of the plants.
- Treat the affected plant with neem oil as indicated by the manufacturer.
- Do not mist the leaves to minimize the disease infestation.
- Ensure good air circulation to discourage the disease.
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