Zygopetalum

Zygopetalum (Zygopetalum) is an epiphytic land plant belonging to the genus Orchidaceae. The place of origin of the zygopetalum is considered to be the territory of Central and South America.

Zygopetalum is a sympoidal type orchid. Pseudobulbs are oval, thickened, each about 6-7 cm long. Each pseudobulb has folded leaves (2-3 pieces each). The length of the leaf reaches 0.5 m. The leaves are pointed, folded at the base, linear-lanceolate. The length of the peduncle reaches about 0.5 m. On each peduncle there can be about 8 or more flowers. The diameter of each flower is about 6-7 cm. The flower has a complex structure and consists of lanceolate petals and sepals. Their color is brown with spots and stripes. The lip has a wavy edge, its shade of purple is purple.

The flowering of zygopetalum is accompanied by a bright and memorable aroma. In general, zygopetalum is represented by a large assortment of shades and colors, but spots and strokes on the petals remain unchanged.

Zygopetalum care at home

Location and lighting

Zygopetalum is the most unpretentious orchid in terms of lighting levels. Under natural conditions, the zygopetalum orchid clings to the lower branches of trees, where the sun's rays practically do not fall due to the dense crown. For growing zygopetalum indoors, western or eastern windows are suitable. When exposed to direct sunlight, burns form on the leaves. Also, the plant can overheat and begin to bloom ahead of time, when the peduncle has not yet fully developed. In this case, there will be no more than 3 flowers on the peduncle. Such a hasty flowering takes a lot of energy from the orchid. This suggests that the next flowering will not be soon, and the development of the zygopetalum itself will be slower than usual.

It is very easy to understand if the lighting is enough for an orchid. At the optimal level of illumination, the leaves of the orchid are dark green; in excess, they become light green or even acquire a yellow tint.

Temperature

Zygopetalum grows well only at low temperatures. The optimum daytime temperature should be between 16 and 24 degrees, and the nighttime - about 14 degrees.

Air humidity

Zygopetalum grows well and develops in a room with low air humidity. Additional hydration of the leaves is not required. If the air is too dry and hot, especially in winter, when the heating devices are operating, additional air humidification will still be required. For example, an orchid can be sprayed regularly.

Watering

Watering needs to be regulated depending on the stage in which the zygopetalum is. In spring and summer, with its active growth, as well as the laying of new peduncles and flowering, watering should be regular and abundant. The substrate should dry out between waterings, but not dry out completely. With an excess of moisture, the roots of the orchid begin to rot quickly, which leads to the death of the plant.All subsequent periods of the life of the zygopetalum, namely the period of building up new pseudobulbs and the root system, reduce watering, but do not stop altogether.

The soil

For planting zygopetalum, a special substrate for orchids is used, consisting of a mixture of pine bark, charcoal and sphagnum moss. The base of orchids should not be deepened into the substrate, otherwise it will quickly rot.

Top dressing and fertilizers

Zygopetalum needs fertilization only during the period when new shoots begin to grow on it and until the opening of the first flower on the peduncle. For feeding, special fertilizers for orchids are used. During flowering, zygopetalum does not need fertilizers, so there is no need to feed the flower. After the orchid has faded and before the appearance of new shoots, fertilization is resumed. As soon as pseudobulbs begin to form on young shoots, feeding is finished again.

Transfer

Zygopetalum does not need to be regularly transplanted into a new container. Transplanting a plant is boring only in extreme cases, when, for example, the old pot has become small and the root system already protrudes significantly from it. Or when the substrate has become unusable and turned into dust. The transplant time also needs to be chosen correctly. It is better to transplant zygopetalum when the new shoots reach 3-5 cm in length and begin to grow their own roots. If you transplant zygopetalum at the moment when it just started to grow a peduncle, then, most likely, you may not see the flowering. In the event of a stressful situation, the orchid will simply dry it out.

Dormant period

In order for the zygopetalum to bloom, it needs a rest period. This time begins from the moment of maturation of young pseudobulbs. During this period, watering should be reduced to a minimum, and the temperature should be reduced to 15-18 degrees. It is better to replace watering with spraying the top layer of the substrate. Compliance with all these conditions leads to the emergence of new shoots. After that, the temperature of the orchid content rises slightly, and watering resumes in the usual volume.

If the dormant period is not observed correctly, the zygopetalum will not please with its flowering. If conditions are created for an orchid under which the difference between day and night temperatures is 4-5 degrees, then it will bloom after 3-4 weeks of dormancy.

Bloom

Zygopetalum usually blooms in the winter season. Zygopetalum bloom can only be observed on new shoots that have not yet reached their maximum size. After the end of flowering, young shoots will resume their growth.

Reproduction of zygopetalum

You can propagate zygopetalum at home by dividing an adult bush into parts. Each new plant must have at least three pseudobulbs, as well as an independent root system.

Diseases and pests

Dry indoor air can cause zygopetalum to become infected with pests such as scale insects, spider mites and aphids.

Thus, we can conclude that zygopetalum belongs to the most unpretentious species of orchids, which has a stunningly beautiful flowering. Many flower growers are afraid to purchase it because of far-fetched difficulties with care, which is completely in vain.