Knickknacks, orchids that are, in bloom

[Hoa Tony Nguyen]

Lyc. Always x Lyc. Norris Powell
A lovely light rose pink lycaste hybrid! A big plant but reliable bloomer.

Cheers. Hoa.

[Hoa Tony Nguyen]

Zygos have the strongest and sweetest fragrance in the orchid kingdom. I grow these guys for their heavenly fragrance alone!!! This plant puts out 7 spikes and has been in bloom for months! Just lovely.

Cheers. Hoa.

[Hoa Tony Nguyen]

What can I say! These dendrochilums are amazing! Oh, BTW, this dendrochilum species has a peachy fragrance! Strange!

Cheers. Hoa.

[bench72]

Wonderful and beautiful plants... I'm particularly smitten by that Zygo. And I also adore its lovely fragrance... Alas, I cannot seem to get the hang of growing them.

cheers
tim

[Hoa Tony Nguyen]

Hi Tim,

Sydney, Australia should be a fine place to grow them! Zygos are cool growing orchids and many of them are temperature tolerant, i.e. heat is OK with them as long as it is not excessive. The newer hybrids are even more heat tolerant than previous generations but they will do well if you have at least 6 months with day temperatures in the 60-70s and night temperature in the 50s. And they like more water than other epiphytic orchids. So I either use a cymbidium mix which has peat or coconut husk chips with added perlite for aeration.

Cheers. Hoa.

[Piper]

I had a species Zygo that bloomed a couple of times for me, but it clearly was unhappy and didn't last. I suspect the species are fussier than the hybrids, and I was unable to figure out what it wanted.

Julie

[Hoa Tony Nguyen]

Hi Julie,

I had similar problems with zygo species although I am doing much better with them lately. Besides coolish temperatures although they could take some heat, they like wet but not too wet, and a lot of light. I mean a LOT of light, almost like a cymbidium. For example, for cymbidium, 55-65% shade is optimal, then for zygo, 65-70% shade during the hottest summer months and 55% shade during winter/cold months are great for them!

And since you mention the subject of zygo species, I include a picture of Zygo. brachypetalum, the peppery fragrance orchid! This plant finished blooming a while back.

Cheers. Hoa.

[Gin]

They are all beautiful , I love the Lyc. I have one Zygo . It does bloom but not like yours . Thanks for the info. on them Gin

[bench72]

So, how about those black spotting on the leaves? Everyone pretty much says they are ok... but really, I do think they look better without it. And I have seen some people's plants without it.. Is there a way to make sure the plants don't get it?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Hoa,

I love the lycaste hybrid and the dendrochillums!
We also grow a zygo, but other than the deep purple color, the flower on ours is just not that exciting. Thanks for the great photos!

Cheers!
BD