GardenBanter.co.uk - Zygopetalum!

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Hello everyone!

I have been in contact with a nice orchid vendor who proposed to sell me a
very big zygopetalum.

I grow Phal, paph and 2 oncidiums.

What are the best condition for a zygopetalum? Are they the same as Phal and
Paph?
I grow them under fluorescent light!

Thanks

Claude

On Sat, 3 Jan 2004 21:44:56 -0500, "Claude"
wrote in Message-Id: :

What are the best condition for a zygopetalum?

Zygos want nearly as much sun as Cymbidiums, and more moisture.

Are they the same as Phal and Paph?

Nope. Zygos require more light.

I grow them under fluorescent light!

Fluorescent light intensities probably won't result in much in the way
of flowers for zygos.

On Sun, 4 Jan 2004 09:18:49 -0500, "Pat Brennan"
wrote in Message-Id: :

I grow my Zygos in the same house with my phals and paphs. It is in a
brighter section of the greenhouse (maybe 1800 ft-c) but they receive
less light than my oncs.

Fluorescent lighting won't produce much over an average of 600fc at
12" from the tube*, and light intensity falls rapidly with more
distance.

A fair number of the zygos are in bloom right now, so high light is not
a requirement.

That depends on one's definition of 'high light.' I would
characterize high light as being in the 4,000 fc to 5,000 fc range.

*
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/gt/africanv...%20violets.htm

Hi Larry,

Fluorescent lighting won't produce much over an average of 600fc at
12" from the tube*, and light intensity falls rapidly with more
distance.

My bulbs must really need replacing, I just took a couple of reading and
could not find any that even got close to 600 fc. You have to be careful
when people are talking light levels. When I say my greenhouse is shaded to
1800 fc that is based on a midday reading on a day without clouds. During
most of the day the light levels are climbing towards or receding from this
peak. In addition clouds rob a lot of sun. When we talk about a 600 fc
fluorescent light, it is providing a full 600 fc for a full 12 hours. I
guess there needs to be some sort of 'fcHour' measure to help compare the
two environments. I do know that if I shaded to 600 fc it would be too dark
to bloom phals although it is fine under fluorescent lighting. I also know
that much more than 1200 - 1500 fc under HPS and phals will start to show
signs of stress, but in the greenhouse this light level is close to ideal.

That depends on one's definition of 'high light.' I would
characterize high light as being in the 4,000 fc to 5,000 fc range.

Others would consider your light levels to be about '50% shade'. Both
characterizations are right but sound so very different.

Pat

Just another data point. I grow my Zygos in the same house with my phals
and paphs. It is in a brighter section of the greenhouse (maybe 1800 ft-c)
but they receive less light than my oncs. A fair number of the zygos are in
bloom right now, so high light is not a requirement. But some of the zygos
get pretty big (mackayi and some of its hybrids) and that might be an issue
for under light culture.

Pat

"Wendy" wrote in message
news:yXUJb.17520$7D3.5915@fed1read02...
Hello Claude, Did you tell the orchid vendor that you are growing indoors
under lights?
A good vendor would have asked you & not tried to sell you something that
wouldn't grow in
your environment?
Zygo's need high light & grow outside with Cymbidiums, weather permitting.
--
Cheers Wendy
Remove PETERPAN for email reply

"Claude" wrote in message
. ..
Hello everyone!

I have been in contact with a nice orchid vendor who proposed to sell me
a
very big zygopetalum.

I grow Phal, paph and 2 oncidiums.

What are the best condition for a zygopetalum? Are they the same as Phal
and
Paph?
I grow them under fluorescent light!

Thanks

Claude

Thank you Wendy!

Actually, he suggest me this zygo but he didn`t know I was growing indoor!
Anyway, the plant is too big for me, it is a 12 inch pot and it`s about 3
feet height!

I will stick with Phal, Dtps and Paph.

I`m gonna get a Dtps. Kenneth Schulbert ! I`ve been waiting so long to get
one!

Bye for now

Claude

P.S: Simple question about yellow Phal. I have this Phal. Brother Love Amigo
(Phal. Brother Gold Miss 2 X Phal. Fortune Green BH2) and it`s blooming
since september. Is this normal, for a yellow phal, that at the end of the
spike, there is always a new flower bud growing. At first, I had 3 flower,
then a new bud grown, 1 flower died and now a new bud is forming...
I heard not to cut the spike! Is this true???

Thanks

"Wendy" wrote in message
news:yXUJb.17520$7D3.5915@fed1read02...
| Hello Claude, Did you tell the orchid vendor that you are growing indoors
| under lights?
| A good vendor would have asked you & not tried to sell you something that
| wouldn't grow in
| your environment?
| Zygo's need high light & grow outside with Cymbidiums, weather permitting.
| --
| Cheers Wendy
| Remove PETERPAN for email reply
|
|
| "Claude" wrote in message
| . ..
| Hello everyone!
|
| I have been in contact with a nice orchid vendor who proposed to sell me
a
| very big zygopetalum.
|
| I grow Phal, paph and 2 oncidiums.
|
| What are the best condition for a zygopetalum? Are they the same as Phal
| and
| Paph?
| I grow them under fluorescent light!
|
| Thanks
|
| Claude
|
|
|
|

Hello Claude, Did you tell the orchid vendor that you are growing indoors
under lights?
A good vendor would have asked you & not tried to sell you something that
wouldn't grow in
your environment?
Zygo's need high light & grow outside with Cymbidiums, weather permitting.
--
Cheers Wendy
Remove PETERPAN for email reply

"Claude" wrote in message
. ..
Hello everyone!

I have been in contact with a nice orchid vendor who proposed to sell me a
very big zygopetalum.

I grow Phal, paph and 2 oncidiums.

What are the best condition for a zygopetalum? Are they the same as Phal
and
Paph?
I grow them under fluorescent light!

Thanks

Claude

Now wait just a minute, Wendy! Your first question was very good -- anyone
purchasing an orchid he or she is not familiar with should ask questions
about it, with reference to his or her growing conditions.

But then you went a bit overboard, IMHO -- If you order an orchid via my
website (or visit my booth at a show, or come into my shadehouse, and select
a plant), do you _really_ want me to grill you about your growing conditions
before I allow you to purchase it?

Even if you personally might prefer that, I can tell you from experience
that a lot of customers don't -- and some will get quite huffy about it!

--
Kenni Judd
Juno Beach Orchids

http://www.jborchids.com

"Wendy" wrote in message
news:yXUJb.17520$7D3.5915@fed1read02...
Hello Claude, Did you tell the orchid vendor that you are growing indoors
under lights?
A good vendor would have asked you ...

Kenni,
My reply was to Claude & was purely circumstantial. It pertained to him
being a
rookie.
--
Cheers Wendy
Remove PETERPAN for email reply

"Kenni Judd" wrote in message
. ..
Now wait just a minute, Wendy! Your first question was very good --
anyone
purchasing an orchid he or she is not familiar with should ask questions
about it, with reference to his or her growing conditions.

But then you went a bit overboard, IMHO -- If you order an orchid via my
website (or visit my booth at a show, or come into my shadehouse, and
select
a plant), do you _really_ want me to grill you about your growing
conditions
before I allow you to purchase it?

Even if you personally might prefer that, I can tell you from experience
that a lot of customers don't -- and some will get quite huffy about it!

--
Kenni Judd
Juno Beach Orchids

http://www.jborchids.com

"Wendy" wrote in message
news:yXUJb.17520$7D3.5915@fed1read02...
Hello Claude, Did you tell the orchid vendor that you are growing
indoors
under lights?
A good vendor would have asked you ...

If you order an orchid via my website (or visit my booth at a show, or come
into my shadehouse, and select a plant), do you _really_ want me to grill
you about your growing conditions before I allow you to purchase it?

Even if you personally might prefer that, I can tell you from experience
that a lot of customers don't -- and some will get quite huffy about it!

Personally, I think it would be a good service to a customer to politely ask
about growing conditions, at least if the transaction is in person. (Doing
so on the web might seem kind of cold.) After all, if a customer purchases
something that will quickly expire after purchase, that does no good for the
seller or the buyer. Perhaps a way to handle it would be to ask if the
customer needs culture advice for the plant. Someone who knows what he/she
is doing will say no, while a newbie would gratefully accept, and buy
something else if the plant in question is not suitable for its intended
environment.

No, I wouldn't relish being "grilled" about my growing conditions, but it's
not what you say, it's how you say it...........

Diana

One more thing about Zygos, Claude. Most of them prefer cooler temps than
Phals. I love them, but they are a problem for us FL growers without
greenhouses.

Diana

I cannot tell you how many times I've talked people out of buying a plant,
and it surprises the hell out of them!

Simply, I'd prefer that they get a plant that's appropriate for their
conditions rather than get one they end up killing, possibly turning them
off to me and/or orchids altogether.

Then there was the time someone insisted that the recipient of their gift -
ten bare-root ascocendas - absolutely know how to care for them. (The
recipient returned them a week later...)

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!

.. . . . . . . . . . .
"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
hlink.net...
If you order an orchid via my website (or visit my booth at a show, or
come
into my shadehouse, and select a plant), do you _really_ want me to grill
you about your growing conditions before I allow you to purchase it?

Even if you personally might prefer that, I can tell you from experience
that a lot of customers don't -- and some will get quite huffy about it!

Personally, I think it would be a good service to a customer to politely
ask
about growing conditions, at least if the transaction is in person. (Doing
so on the web might seem kind of cold.) After all, if a customer
purchases
something that will quickly expire after purchase, that does no good for
the
seller or the buyer. Perhaps a way to handle it would be to ask if the
customer needs culture advice for the plant. Someone who knows what
he/she
is doing will say no, while a newbie would gratefully accept, and buy
something else if the plant in question is not suitable for its intended
environment.

No, I wouldn't relish being "grilled" about my growing conditions, but
it's
not what you say, it's how you say it...........

Diana

I cannot tell you how many times I've talked people out of buying a plant,
and it surprises the hell out of them!

I couldn't agree more, Ray. The major part of my working life has been in
sales and sales management, and one thing I pounded into new salespeople was
to look out for the customer. Doing so is to ensure an ongoing relationship
based on trust, which is sadly lacking in too many cases. I used to present
a chart to show how one client, who I talked out of selling her property,
led to 36 transactions down the line.

IMO, Caveat Emptor is a sure road to less sales in the long run.

Diana

I, too, have talked lots of people out of buying lots of plants -- if they
gave me the least indication whatsoever that they were open to advice. But
I've also had
quite a few get truly huffy at the merest question that so much as hinted
that they might need some advice ...

It may be different up in Ray's neck of the woods, but down here, I deal
with a _lot_ of different types of customers -- among the true hobbyists:
some are novices, some have been growing since before I was born [1958,
which means they've been at it for a while]; and all in-between. [Most
novices tell me so, and I can usually spot the long-timers; it's the
in-betweeners that tend to get touchy.]

Then there are those not really interested in growing orchids
at all: those buying gifts (and as Ray noted, some of those gift recipients
have greatly exaggerated their orchid-growing interest/abilities to their
loved
ones -- I've had several similar experiences*); and some are buying orchids
as house decorations, realizing that even if tossed [or given the
housekeeper, etc.] after this blooming,
they're still a better value than cut flowers.

As Diana mentions, the setting is also a major factor -- it's not usually
hard to get a little rapport with folks who visit here at the nursery
[although there are (thank goodness!) some days when we have 3 sets of
customers at once, with the phone ringing throughout]; but some orders just
come in via the website.
There's a mail-to link there, for anyone with questions; I get lots, and am
happy to answer them. But if someone just orders Plant X on the order form,
I figure they know what they want. And then there are shows -- sometimes
it's slow and I have plenty of time to chat; other times, there are multiple
customers lined up ...

*The most disappointing, in my personal experience, involved a young lady
who was convinced that her mother was "an orchid grower." She and I spent
quite a bit of time on the phone, customizing one of our variety collections
so that Mom would get one plant in bloom, and then 3 others that would bloom
at different times of the year. I can't repeat Mom's irate phone call here
in
its entirety, but mostly, she was furious that "3 of these AREN'T EVEN IN
BLOOM." My sympathies really went out to the poor, misled daughter!

The bottom line being, if you are a newbie, or even an experienced grower
branching out into a new type of plant, SAY SO -- BEFORE you buy the plant!
I, and most every grower I know, will be happy to try to guide and help you,
even if you don't know the right questions to ask. But don't ask us to
guess your level of expertise or growing conditions just by looking at you
....

--
Kenni Judd
Juno Beach Orchids

http://www.jborchids.com
"Ray" wrote in message
...
I cannot tell you how many times I've talked people out of buying a plant,
and it surprises the hell out of them!

Simply, I'd prefer that they get a plant that's appropriate for their
conditions rather than get one they end up killing, possibly turning them
off to me and/or orchids altogether.

Then there was the time someone insisted that the recipient of their
gift -
ten bare-root ascocendas - absolutely know how to care for them. (The
recipient returned them a week later...)

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!

. . . . . . . . . . .
"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
hlink.net...
If you order an orchid via my website (or visit my booth at a show, or
come
into my shadehouse, and select a plant), do you _really_ want me to
grill
you about your growing conditions before I allow you to purchase it?

Even if you personally might prefer that, I can tell you from
experience
that a lot of customers don't -- and some will get quite huffy about
it!

Personally, I think it would be a good service to a customer to politely
ask
about growing conditions, at least if the transaction is in person.
(Doing
so on the web might seem kind of cold.) After all, if a customer
purchases
something that will quickly expire after purchase, that does no good for
the
seller or the buyer. Perhaps a way to handle it would be to ask if the
customer needs culture advice for the plant. Someone who knows what
he/she
is doing will say no, while a newbie would gratefully accept, and buy
something else if the plant in question is not suitable for its intended
environment.

No, I wouldn't relish being "grilled" about my growing conditions, but
it's
not what you say, it's how you say it...........

Diana

As a fairly new hobbyist(two years), I always appreciate comments and
reccommendations from commercial growers. Especially if the grower is truly
passionate about the plants and their business. I have been to several
commercial growers that are simply orchid "supermarkets" - pick up a cart or
basket, walk through the aisles, fill up your basket and check out. In some
instances help was never offered - which is frustrating. Did I buy plants
from these growers? You bet, but I probably would have purchased more had I
had some assistance. We also grow as a family, my wife and I and our two
youngest children who are 9 and 11. I have seen growers cringe at the site
of our children when we walk into their greenhouses. They relax a little bit
when they find out our 11 year old son has clerked at several shows and has
more than a rudimentary knowledge - "Hey Dad, I just saw this really cool
Masdevallia, you have to see it!" On of our most enjoyable orchid related
experiences just happened while we were in San Francisco and visited a
commercial grower there. We spent over two hours at the facility, had a
staff member walk with us the entire time, asking questions, showing us
plants, and sharing his growing experiences. This was done even though the
phone was ringing off the hook and they were preparing for a show on the day
before a Holiday weekend. They treated every member of our family with
respect and we had a great time. The result? We spent about $100 more on
plants than planned, had a great time, and will definitely buy plants from
this grower again! Is this experience an exception - absolutely. But I
contacted the grower prior to visiting, explained our growing conditions,
our interests etc., which certainly helped. I don't want to mention the
growers name, because I think it is unrealistic to expect that kind of
treatment every time - but I do wish more growers would treat their
customers this way.

John
"Kenni Judd" wrote in message
.. .
I, too, have talked lots of people out of buying lots of plants -- if they
gave me the least indication whatsoever that they were open to advice.
But
I've also had
quite a few get truly huffy at the merest question that so much as hinted
that they might need some advice ...

It may be different up in Ray's neck of the woods, but down here, I deal
with a _lot_ of different types of customers -- among the true hobbyists:
some are novices, some have been growing since before I was born [1958,
which means they've been at it for a while]; and all in-between. [Most
novices tell me so, and I can usually spot the long-timers; it's the
in-betweeners that tend to get touchy.]

Then there are those not really interested in growing orchids
at all: those buying gifts (and as Ray noted, some of those gift
recipients
have greatly exaggerated their orchid-growing interest/abilities to their
loved
ones -- I've had several similar experiences*); and some are buying
orchids
as house decorations, realizing that even if tossed [or given the
housekeeper, etc.] after this blooming,
they're still a better value than cut flowers.

As Diana mentions, the setting is also a major factor -- it's not usually
hard to get a little rapport with folks who visit here at the nursery
[although there are (thank goodness!) some days when we have 3 sets of
customers at once, with the phone ringing throughout]; but some orders
just
come in via the website.
There's a mail-to link there, for anyone with questions; I get lots, and
am
happy to answer them. But if someone just orders Plant X on the order
form,
I figure they know what they want. And then there are shows -- sometimes
it's slow and I have plenty of time to chat; other times, there are
multiple
customers lined up ...

*The most disappointing, in my personal experience, involved a young lady
who was convinced that her mother was "an orchid grower." She and I spent
quite a bit of time on the phone, customizing one of our variety
collections
so that Mom would get one plant in bloom, and then 3 others that would
bloom
at different times of the year. I can't repeat Mom's irate phone call
here
in
its entirety, but mostly, she was furious that "3 of these AREN'T EVEN IN
BLOOM." My sympathies really went out to the poor, misled daughter!

The bottom line being, if you are a newbie, or even an experienced grower
branching out into a new type of plant, SAY SO -- BEFORE you buy the
plant!
I, and most every grower I know, will be happy to try to guide and help
you,
even if you don't know the right questions to ask. But don't ask us to
guess your level of expertise or growing conditions just by looking at you
...

--
Kenni Judd
Juno Beach Orchids

http://www.jborchids.com
"Ray" wrote in message
...
I cannot tell you how many times I've talked people out of buying a
plant,
and it surprises the hell out of them!

Simply, I'd prefer that they get a plant that's appropriate for their
conditions rather than get one they end up killing, possibly turning
them
off to me and/or orchids altogether.

Then there was the time someone insisted that the recipient of their
gift -
ten bare-root ascocendas - absolutely know how to care for them. (The
recipient returned them a week later...)

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!

. . . . . . . . . . .
"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
hlink.net...
If you order an orchid via my website (or visit my booth at a show,
or
come
into my shadehouse, and select a plant), do you _really_ want me to
grill
you about your growing conditions before I allow you to purchase it?

Even if you personally might prefer that, I can tell you from
experience
that a lot of customers don't -- and some will get quite huffy about
it!

Personally, I think it would be a good service to a customer to
politely
ask
about growing conditions, at least if the transaction is in person.
(Doing
so on the web might seem kind of cold.) After all, if a customer
purchases
something that will quickly expire after purchase, that does no good
for
the
seller or the buyer. Perhaps a way to handle it would be to ask if
the
customer needs culture advice for the plant. Someone who knows what
he/she
is doing will say no, while a newbie would gratefully accept, and buy
something else if the plant in question is not suitable for its
intended
environment.

No, I wouldn't relish being "grilled" about my growing conditions, but
it's
not what you say, it's how you say it...........

Diana

John,

I think you absolutely should share the name of that grower with the rest of
us. Though one can't expect to duplicate your experience each time, I for
one love to hear about truly dedicated growers!

Diana