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TEMPERATURE:

      Ideally we would recommend temperatures of:-

      Summer      18 - 35 C (65 - 95 f)

      Winter      7 - 24 C (45 - 75 f)

      with a significant night time drop in temperature.

      However, zygopetalum are extremely resilient and can tolerate much higher temperatures as well as much lower ones for short periods.  They can survive short periods with night temperatures of just above freezing, provided that daytime temperatures are warmer.

        Confused?  Don't worry too much.  Try a minimum of 13C at night and something between 17 - 25C during the day and your plant should be happy.

  LIGHT:

      Your zygo will be happiest in good light, but not in direct sunlight.

  WATERING:

      Water thoroughly from the top and leave to drain.  We would recommended using rain water if available. The best time would be in the morning so that the foliage will have plenty of time to dry before temperatures cool.

        Never let your plant completely dry out but remember that it isn't a bog plant.  Never let it stand in excess water.   Make sure any excess is allowed to drain away.  Be especially careful if the pot is placed inside another container where water may get trapped.

 FEEDING:

      Feed your plant regularly with orchid fertiliser when you water. Every fourth watering leave out the fertiliser to allow any build up of salts to be washed from the compost.  Plants in poor condition should have very low levels of fertiliser, if any, until a substantial root system is reestablished.

  HUMIDITY:

      Zygopetalum like a comfortable but not dry atmosphere.  Good air movement  will help dry the leaves after watering.  If the foliage remains damp crown rot can occur at the base of the leaves.

  COMPOST:

      Your zygopetalum doesn't like a heavy compost.   A well aerated, free draining mix is best. We use either:-

a)    2 parts fibrous peat (the peat has a pH of 6.2)

      1 part coarse perlite

      (Sometimes we include bark.)

or

b)    3 parts sphagnum moss

      1 part coarse perlite

      1 part bark

  POTTING:

      This should be carried out in spring or early summer.  Choose a container that is not too large.  There should be sufficient space for only two new pseudobulbs to develop before next repotting.

  FLOWERS:

      When mature your plant will produce several flower spikes.    Peak flowering time is in the spring, early summer.

  HINT:

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Last modified: February 01, 2006