Zygopetalum Orchid Care | Light & Temperature

[@michelleslifeonrepeat]

Thanks for joining in. It’s nice to see those brand new shoots coming along.

[@OrchidsFynbos]

Thanks Michelle 😊🙏

[@TheOrchidSaGa]

This why I love the #Carecolab s so much, I do come across so many beautiful new channels like yours! Thank you for all the information! Happy growing.

[@OrchidsFynbos]

Thanks Orchid SaGa 😊🙏 happy growing 🌸🌱

[@NicoleDeanna]

I agree with you, when you provide more light the temps do go up. We went through a heat wave in New York, last week, so far all is ok, but I have to keep watering. Great video! I know I've already mentioned this before, but I appreciate the quality of your videos and the aesthetic ☺️

[@OrchidsFynbos]

Thanks Nicole 😊🙏 I definitely think that the microenvironment has a big impact. I have just found that in my environment there is such a fine line between the two but I know other growers manage to grow in high light with extra humidity and ventilation. I can’t do this in my office 😅.

[@AttainableGreen]

Wow, thanks for sharing the info about the mackayi! Hope the new growth matures nicely! 😁

[@OrchidsFynbos]

Thanks Jess 😊🙏 I’m holding thumbs

[@FernandaNascimentoOrchids]

Thanks for sharing your experience, your Zygos are doing so well showing you are on the right track. Happy weekend, Dave!!!!

[@OrchidsFynbos]

Thanks Fernanda 😊🙏 yeah it’s been a long road, just glad it’s looking up now.

[@TrishsOrchidLife]

Great insight into your thought process and how you care for your Zygos in your environment. New shoots are signs for possible blooms...have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for joining in this collab!

[@OrchidsFynbos]

Thanks Trish 😊🙏 I can’t wait to see what spring will bring!

[@simplyorchidsetc.2]

Great video thank you for sharing your thoughts on the zygopetalum. Have a lovely weekend stay safe and happy growing : ) Reah

[@OrchidsFynbos]

Thanks Reah 😊🙏 Have a great weekend too and happy growing 🌸🪴

[@SaarasGarden]

Hi! Great video ...🙏🌷

[@mountainshamanscloudorchid354]

Great presentation!! I also think total light time exposure and temperature has a lot to do with blooming and growing. I've been noticing that my cats/high light orchids are having trouble with the direct afternoon sun outside in the summer since the temps have been getting hotter and hotter each year because of global warming....

[@OrchidsFynbos]

Thanks Mountain Shaman’s Cloud Orchids 😊🙏 I find the same in my greenhouse in the summer. I have to put the first layer of shade cloth on in spring then in the heat of summer the second layer.

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Hi Dave, your video showing Zygopetalum mackayi and Zygopetalum Artur Elle, was excellent. I have mackayi and also a Artur Elle hybrid, so what did I glean from your video (1) a reminder that they require cool conditions (2) I had mine overpotted. I have repotted both and they are now outside, however, I will need to watch the light level. Both of mine have new growths, so I am happy with them 😊

[@OrchidsFynbos]

Thanks Margaret 😊🙏 I’m glad you enjoyed the video and that it was helpful. I love finding out that people have the same species it’s the best way to test different conditions and learn from each other. I also found out today that the Zygopetalum mackayi synonym maculatum also goes by the clone name ‘Trozy Blue’. Amazing what we can gather and figure out together as a community! I’m glad your Zygos are doing well if you have a moment please do an update on them. Happy growing 😊🌸🪴

[@orchidsgardeninengland1682]

Hoping to do an update when new growths are big enough to distinguish as they are only just visible at the moment. Thanks for the info on mackayi, I will check this out and add to my notes. And yes, we can learn so much from one another, it's Great!

[@NinjaOrchids]

Super well explained! I have had similar thoughts, but couldn't verbalize them 😑 i fully agree with the light v temps. I move mine indoors for July/ August ... still good light but cooler. Thank you for this great update 🙌🏼 👍🏼

[@OrchidsFynbos]

Thanks Nina 😊🙏 I had so much trouble filming this video - lighting etc. but I’m glad it ended up ok.

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

IME, they are far more temperature tolerant than they are given credit for. I am able to grow them outdoors year round in south Florida and our summers are hot, humid and rainy. They will never flower for me in summer, they need cooler night temperatures to initiate blooming, but they grow just fine through the summer. (even mackayi heavy hybrids)

[@OrchidsFynbos]

Hi Michael, I suspect that it’s a combination of the lack of humidity, low ventilation and the heat that just won’t allow my Zygos to tolerate the heat even for a day. Again I’m referring to my specific microenvironment. There are growers in the Cape that grow Zygos in high light but they are growing in well ventilated greenhouses with misting systems. I have ~6 sq. meter room which receives direct sunlight in winter and I have one small fan in the corner, these conditions become intolerable for Zygos.

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

@@OrchidsFynbos I will agree that the damage on your plants looks to be heat stress (I've seen plenty of that myself in vain attempts at growing Odontoglossum nobile and a number of Masdevallia). I think when we talk about light, we need to differentiate between natural light and LED light. For me in South Florida, if they get any direct sun after ~9:30 AM they will burn badly. They spend most of the day in shade. But, shade being a relative term, although it looks very dark I have measured the lumens at ~3000 (or about 1/4 full sun) and this seems to suit them just fine. They are still in a very warm environment but they aren't getting extra heat from the sunlight. In contrast, I have some Zygos growing indoors under lights and they are grown quite bright (4000 lumens, 192 PAR). This light level produces anthocyanin in Cattleya and Dendrobium but doesn't bother the Zygos. The foliage is a little lighter than ideal but they grow and bloom well.

[@orchidsbythelake]

I am not sure about Zygos being cool growing orchids now. I am sure some are… but mine survived in the heatwave in my greenhouse like nothing happened… of course I watered them everyday though

[@OrchidsFynbos]

Thanks Yoshi 😊🙏. Yeah, in my opinion it all depends on the microenvironment. The warm grow room I’m referring to is ~6 sq. meters. The room receives direct sunlight in winter and only has a small fan. It doubles as my office so I spend most of the day in the room and it gets really hot 🥵. I can’t add more ventilation or humidity because it would not be conducive to an office space then. All my warm to intermediate growers do fine in the room but anything that is cool - cold growing immediately sulks in winter because of the heat, the rooms just too tiny and is a bit like a cooker. If you look on the Orchid Species website some of the species are warm to cool and others are cool to cold growing.

[@patrickbowen5398]

Thank you for this video. I have (2) Zygopetalum and definitely want to be able to grow them - however, I grow all of my orchids in my Home, in my living room. Most are in front of a large window, with supplemental lighting. Lighting is not my problem, Temps I can somewhat manage, but Humidity is a problem to control in an in-home enviornment. What are your thoughts on Humidity with orchids grown in the home? I live in New Jersey/USA.

[@OrchidsFynbos]

Thanks Patrick 😊🙏 I would recommend either a humidifier or a tray of pebbles with water in that the plant can stand on. Just don’t let the plant stand in water, the plant should be above the water. In South Africa we don’t struggle too much with humidity if you’re watering the plants regularly so I would take a look at what some of the other growers in your area do. Try to search “humidity for orchids” in the KZbin bar you should find a number of suggestions there. Happy growing and good luck 🌸🪴

[@patrickbowen5398]

@@OrchidsFynbos Thanks for your reply. Actually I have a console room Humidifier, however, this time of year with the Central AC on, the humidifier doesn't really help. I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best.

[@annavoeggia816]

Enjoyed your video. Nice insight! How did your Promenaea fare?

[@OrchidsFynbos]

Thanks Annavoeg Gia 😊🙏 I was going to add a short section with the Promenaea but then didn’t 🙈. It’s doing well where it is now and those nubbins on the top of the pseudobulbs were keikis. Happy growing 🪴🌸