Tribe: Vandeae
Sub-tribe: Maxillariinae (Yoked Petal) from the Greek Zygon = (yoke) and petalon = ( petal). The Zygopetalum has been a neglected genera, especially here in the USA. It was named by William Jackson Hooker in 1827, who was a director at Kew Gardens as well as an eminent botanist. The Zygopetalums are found growing across Southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Peru and Bolivia. As with most orchids, light is of great importance, not only for the plant health, but also to induce blooming, Zygos. like light conditions similar to to those for cymbidiums - about 50% shade. The indication of too little light will be dark green leaves or yellow for too much light. The leaves should be a light green. Fertilizer is some what dependent on the medium used. With New Zealand sphagnum moss, we have used calcium nitrate. With bark mixes we use a 30-10-10 at 1/4 strenth each watering with a plain flush every forth watering. Material can vary from medium bark with large grade perlite to New Zeland sphagnum moss (not packed tight). Black spotting and streaking of the leaves are usuall caused by stagnant cool air. Regular heaving misting doesn't seem to be aproblem when there is sufficent air movement. Scale and mealy bug can be handled with the approprite locally recommended insecticide for other orchidswith the same problem.
Plants List
Dendrobiums
Epidendrums
Miscellaneous
Miltonia
Paphiopedilum
This all relates to the thickened callus at the base of the lip.
Zygopetalums
Zygopetalum Intergeneric Crosses
Zygopetalum Unnamed Crosses
Ordering Information