Orchid zygopetalum will surely appeal to flower growers. It is distinguished by a very beautiful and plentiful flowering, but at the same time it is unpretentious in care and grows well even among beginner gardeners. The very small genus Zygopetalum belongs to the Orchid family. Homeland orchids are the tropics of Latin America. Most often, it is fixed on trees and leads an epiphytic lifestyle, but is able to survive and even multiply in the soil.
Description
At the base of the stem of the zygopetalum, a pear-shaped thickening is formed, which is called a pseudobulb. It collects the nutrients needed in adverse conditions. The length of such a bulb is 6-7 cm. Fleshy, spiral roots are located below it, and several large leaves crown the upper part. Interestingly, in the process of growth, new bulbs form in the orchid, which are arranged in the form of an ascending ladder.
Usually, each bulb is hidden in a pair of lower leaves, and another 2-3 leaves, about 50 cm long, bloom on top. The surface of the sheet plate is plain, smooth. The leaves are painted in a dark green hue. The shape of the leaves is lanceolate or oval with a solid edge and a pointed end.
The flower stalk in zygopetalum is also formed from the lower pair of leaves and has a direct shape. Its length reaches 50 cm. On each stem several buds are formed (up to 12 pieces), fixed in series. The zygopetalum flower has a very bright color and an intense, pleasant aroma. Its diameter is about 6-7 cm.
Flowers consist of three dark sepals (sepals) and two upper narrow petals (petals). This part of the bud is painted a light green color and is densely covered with burgundy, purple or brown spots. The lip has an expanded, fan-like shape and is painted in more delicate, lilac tones.
Types of zygopetalum
The genus of zygopetalum is small, it has only 16 varieties. To diversify such a beautiful plant, breeders have developed several hybrid forms. We list the main types of zygopetalum that are used in indoor cultivation.
Zygopetalum maculatum has a long peduncle (up to 40 cm), on which there are 8-12 large flowers. The diameter of each bud is 4-5 cm. Greenish petals cover dark brown spots. The white lip is densely streaked with lilac stripes.
Zygopetalum maxillare has a peduncle up to 35 cm high with 5-8 buds. The upper elements of the flower are painted in burgundy or brown with a light green border. The lip at the base is densely covered with dark purple spots, and towards the edge acquires a lighter shade and has a white border.
Zygopetalum pedicellatum has a narrower lip with white coloring and many purple dots and spots.
Zygopetalum triste. On a peduncle 35 cm long, there are 6-7 flowers with a diameter of up to 6 cm. The upper petals are narrowed and painted in brown-purple stripes. Lip whitish with shapeless light purple stains.
Zygopetalum pabstii - the largest and most decorative variety. Its stems can reach a height of 90 cm. This allows you to use the plant for making bouquets. The diameter of each flower is 10 cm. A greenish background is barely visible on the upper petals under brown spots. A lot of purple and blue stripes are scattered on the white lip. A popular hybrid variety of this variety is the trizi blue zygopetalum.
Zygopetalum microphytum - the most compact variety with a height of up to 25 cm. Buds with a diameter of 2.5 cm have a typical color. Above, green-brown tones predominate, and the bottom is covered with white-purple stains.
Zygopetalum blue angel is very popular among gardeners. Flowers of this species have a cream color with a bright, lilac-blue lip.
Zygopetalum adelaide parklands also famous for its exquisite beauty. Narrow petals are yellowish with a small amount of purple spots. White color prevails on the lower lip, and the lilac dashes are located only in the central part.
Breeding
Zygopetalum is propagated by dividing rhizomes (creeping stem with bulbs). It is possible to cut the stem so that at least one, and preferably three, adult bulbs are left on each dividend. Before planting, the parts are weathered in the fresh air for several hours and sprinkled with crushed charcoal. After this procedure, delenki are planted in different pots.
Plant care
Zygopetalum is very unpretentious in care. This orchid lives in shady and humid tropical forests, so it’s enough to create conditions close to natural ones and occasionally water it. The plant is suitable for partial shade or diffused light of the northern and eastern windows. If the leaves of the zygopetalum turn yellow, then it does not have enough light and you should rearrange the pot in a more illuminated place or use artificial lighting.
Zygopetalum can exist in the temperature range from + 15 ° C to + 25 ° C. For normal growth, it is important to ensure nighttime temperature drops. This helps form flower buds and actively build up shoots.
On non-hot days, the orchid is quite capable of adapting to air humidity in a temperate climate, but spraying is recommended in intense heat. Zygopetalum needs intensive irrigation in the active phase. Water must surely drain easily, and the soil should completely dry between irrigation. In winter, the frequency of watering is halved.
Zygopetalum gets everything it needs from the soil and atmosphere. Only during the flowering period can mineral fertilizers be added for orchids. A half dose of fertilizer is sufficient for a healthy plant.
A transplant is carried out only in case of emergency, because any intervention in the root system is very stressful and can cause illness. First, the plant is removed from the pot and freed from the old substrate. If necessary, bulbs are separated and cut off the dried roots. All places of slices are sprinkled with crushed charcoal. For planting, use transparent plastic pots with soil for orchids. Bulbs are placed above the surface of the pot.
Resuscitation
Sometimes, with improper care or as a result of excessive watering, the zygopetalum completely discards the leaves, and the bulbs become wrinkled. Even from such an orchid, you can try to grow a healthy plant. To begin with, the bulb is transplanted into a small container with drainage holes. A layer of expanded clay is laid at the bottom, and crushed pine bark is distributed from above. Then the soil is covered with pieces of sphagnum moss.
The pot is kept at a temperature of + 18 ... + 20 ° C. A couple of tablespoons of water along the edge of the pot are enough to water. Moss quickly absorbs liquid and distributes it evenly. It may take several months to resuscitate, but if the bulb does not blacken, then a small sprout may appear quite soon.
