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Sep 28, 2016 2:12 PM CST
Name: Daisy I
Reno, Nv (Zone 6b)
Not all who wander are lost
Garden Sages Plant Identifier
You can remove calcium buildup from your orchid leaves with any mildly acidic solution such as white vinegar, lemon juice, Sprite or 7-up. Dip a soft cloth in the liquid and gently wipe a leaf, top and bottom. Then rinse and move on to the next leaf.
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming...."WOW What a Ride!!" -Mark Frost

President: Orchid Society of Northern Nevada
Webmaster: osnnv.org
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Sep 28, 2016 4:38 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Fiat
Modesto -The Central Valley of (Zone 9b)
Oh, I must be such a diligent care taker for my zygo? Lovey dubby
If a plant looks good, smells good, don't eat it, grow it!
Fiat
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Sep 30, 2016 10:10 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Fiat
Modesto -The Central Valley of (Zone 9b)
DaisyI said:You can remove calcium buildup from your orchid leaves with any mildly acidic solution such as white vinegar, lemon juice, Sprite or 7-up. Dip a soft cloth in the liquid and gently wipe a leaf, top and bottom. Then rinse and move on to the next leaf.

Thanks, Daisy. I tried white vinegar on my newly acquired Phal and it seemed working... but 'rinse' after wiping? Doesn't water-rinsing cause buildup again? Confused
If a plant looks good, smells good, don't eat it, grow it!
Fiat
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Sep 30, 2016 10:26 AM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
Give PEACE a chance!
Adeniums Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: California Houseplants Plays in the sandbox
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Hey Fiat, I saw this page: http://www.missouribotanicalga...

You may want to read through, it has good photos of repotting when the time comes and further below that article an ongoing orchid maintenance information.

Your zygo is a sympodial orchid so it will grow across adding new pseudobulbs. Have fun with your new zygo!
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Sep 30, 2016 10:57 AM CST
Name: Daisy I
Reno, Nv (Zone 6b)
Not all who wander are lost
Garden Sages Plant Identifier
Nice article Tarev.

Fiat, water is what caused the problem but it took more than one watering. The vinegar, if left on the plant, may cause leaf burn. You should only have to clean your leaves every 6 months to a year if your water is really bad. In Modesto, once every 1 or 2 years will probably be good.
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming...."WOW What a Ride!!" -Mark Frost

President: Orchid Society of Northern Nevada
Webmaster: osnnv.org
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Sep 30, 2016 11:16 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Fiat
Modesto -The Central Valley of (Zone 9b)
Thanks, Tarev for the link (I got two repotting articles @ one site Thumbs up )

Oh, Daisy! Now I have to clean up the mess I made... D'Oh! But thanks.
If a plant looks good, smells good, don't eat it, grow it!
Fiat
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Oct 29, 2016 6:58 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Fiat
Modesto -The Central Valley of (Zone 9b)
Ok, now my zygo's blooms are gone (more than one month after receiving it already in bloom) and spike cut. Initially I thought since it's Fall now and almost all other plants I grow are gradually ceasing growth, may be waiting until next spring to repot the zygo is the way to go... However after double checking the plant, I saw that the plastic pot is actually not 4" but in 3x3 size (square) and the plant (above the medium) looks quite oversized in the tiny pot (I know it's the rootball that should match the pot size). I survey available pots I have: one 6x6 (square) metal orchid pot, two 6" cray pots with slits on side, and several regular 4" cray pots. I am pretty sure the 6x6 is too big. In my heart, I would like to use the 6" slit cray pot, but know that it still is two size bigger than the original pot. So maybe repot it with a 4" cray pot now? or keep waiting until spring? (I see the medium the zygo came with is Rexius Orchid barks (informed/confirmed by the grower).

Appreciate your advice.
If a plant looks good, smells good, don't eat it, grow it!
Fiat
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Oct 30, 2016 12:17 PM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
Give PEACE a chance!
Adeniums Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: California Houseplants Plays in the sandbox
Orchids Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Composter Cactus and Succulents Dragonflies Hummingbirder
Sometimes you can wait a bit to repot, if the existing media is not broken down. If it were mine, and seems the media is still good, I will keep it as is and just wait for next Spring, or whenever you see actively new growing roots and leaves again. The plant will take a rest anyways after blooming time. One size bigger would be okay. That orchid has a tendency to climb up, sometimes I think it wants to escape my container Big Grin

I am more cautious with Phals, since I know they are almost always too tightly packed. But with Oncidiums, I find them more forgiving.
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Oct 30, 2016 9:21 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Fiat
Modesto -The Central Valley of (Zone 9b)
Thanks, Tarev. The zygo seems putting up new growth (2). I have to check it out to confirm. Will post update later.

The Phal's flowers are gone today, but the spike is still green... will see how soon it turn brown, then repot it.
If a plant looks good, smells good, don't eat it, grow it!
Fiat
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Oct 31, 2016 11:25 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Fiat
Modesto -The Central Valley of (Zone 9b)
Look like new growth (root or leaf?) to me... it's even more unclear to see from real plant than picture:
Thumb of 2016-10-31/fiat/787af9
Thumb of 2016-10-31/fiat/4bc295

Can anyone confirm with experience and comment on repotting? Thanks
If a plant looks good, smells good, don't eat it, grow it!
Fiat
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Oct 31, 2016 11:33 AM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
Give PEACE a chance!
Adeniums Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: California Houseplants Plays in the sandbox
Orchids Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Composter Cactus and Succulents Dragonflies Hummingbirder
Can't see it clearly on your photo Fiat, but if you want an idea, here is how new growth showing in my Zygo right now:

You can clearly see a new pseudobulb forming at the base and new roots too:
Thumb of 2016-10-31/tarev/9f9bc2
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Oct 31, 2016 11:48 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Fiat
Modesto -The Central Valley of (Zone 9b)
Wow! That's some new growths. Is your zygo IN the pot or OUT? Can you show a more far away photo, maybe whole or big part of the plant? I think mine does have new growth, probably just roots trying to clime out of barks? Will you suggest repot at this time spot?
If a plant looks good, smells good, don't eat it, grow it!
Fiat
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Oct 31, 2016 12:11 PM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
Give PEACE a chance!
Adeniums Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: California Houseplants Plays in the sandbox
Orchids Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Composter Cactus and Succulents Dragonflies Hummingbirder
Fiat, my Zygo is planted just above the media, the roots when actively growing, at times, they naturally go into the source of moisture. Being sympodial in growth, it naturally makes pseudobulbs horizontally then may climb up like seeking more light as it goes. I just keep the old pseudobulbs there it helps provide energy for the new growth. As I have mentioned earlier it goes into a rest period, which in my growing area often happens after Spring to whole of Summer, when our temps are just so hot and dry, but I still give it watering. Then when temps start to cool down in Fall, it triggers that psuedobulb formation, and more active roots. The new flower spike comes from the new pseudobulb, so if things go well, I may have a flower spike in Spring. My zygo had a bad handling this year, unfortunately, since I was away in late June for over a month just when our temps were hitting several triple digits high and it had a long period of no watering, thankfully it is at its rest stage, just glad to see now it is active again.

Now going back to your zygo, if it were mine I will not repot yet, wait another year and observe first how your plant grows. Just be mindful of your watering intervals, it is already going in the cool season, as much as they like water, you have to give them proper intervals, to avoid rotting the roots. Do your watering early in the day, so by night time water has drained out.

As with most orchids, over potting is not recommended, you will not want those roots to stay way too moist below media level, it might rot, especially when temps are cooler and takes much longer to dry out, especially if it is growing indoors.

Thumb of 2016-10-31/tarev/daecbe Thumb of 2016-10-31/tarev/a5d08e
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Oct 31, 2016 2:48 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Fiat
Modesto -The Central Valley of (Zone 9b)
Thanks for the info, tarev. Just wonder how big the pot you grow your zygo is? Judging from the plant leaf supporting thing you use, I guess it's an 8" or bigger pot.
If a plant looks good, smells good, don't eat it, grow it!
Fiat
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Oct 31, 2016 3:26 PM CST
Name: Daisy I
Reno, Nv (Zone 6b)
Not all who wander are lost
Garden Sages Plant Identifier
Hi Fiat,

Don't repot your Zygo. There are only 4 reasons to repot and your plant does not fit any of the reasons. If the plant gets too top heavy and wants to tip over, drop the plastic pot into a larger, heavier pot for stability.

You won't need to repot until at least next fall. Zygo's are tricky to repot as the roots are easily broken and damaged. You essentially have to reroot the plant every time you repot so wait.

The Phalaenopsis shouldn't need repotting either. The old bloom stock might re bud and bloom again for you in a couple months.

PS: Roots growing out of the pot is normal for orchids. They grow in trees so roots growing every which way is just what they do.
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming...."WOW What a Ride!!" -Mark Frost

President: Orchid Society of Northern Nevada
Webmaster: osnnv.org
Last edited by DaisyI Oct 31, 2016 3:32 PM Icon for preview
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Oct 31, 2016 4:17 PM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
Give PEACE a chance!
Adeniums Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: California Houseplants Plays in the sandbox
Orchids Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Composter Cactus and Succulents Dragonflies Hummingbirder
Fiat, nope it is just a 6-inch fabric container. I think it is really tight with roots inside right now, have not repotted my zygo for 3 years now. Not too worried about it, since root system breathes nicely in that fabric container.

Speaking of Phals, just repotted my Phal in bloom which was give to me in early October, glad I repotted, it is choking full of sphagnum moss in the middle, no wonder the leaves are sulking, the roots are choking there..anyways, repotted it now, am using my chunky lava rock this time for this Phal. Smiling
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Oct 31, 2016 4:20 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Fiat
Modesto -The Central Valley of (Zone 9b)
Thanks for your advice (again), Daisy. Can you decide from my photos that the new growths are roots or pseudobulbs/leaves? I'll remember your warning: "Zygo's are tricky to repot as the roots are easily broken and damaged." -- which is the very sad thing I will dread...

As for the Phal since it came with moss (all I can see is moss), I have a bit concern about how the roots inside doing... the orchid is not big and the cray pot is 4" which seems suitable.
If a plant looks good, smells good, don't eat it, grow it!
Fiat
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Oct 31, 2016 4:25 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Fiat
Modesto -The Central Valley of (Zone 9b)
Oh, tarev. Do you have some photos of your Phal before, during, and after repotting? It will be very helpful if you do and share.
If a plant looks good, smells good, don't eat it, grow it!
Fiat
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Oct 31, 2016 4:37 PM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
Give PEACE a chance!
Adeniums Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: California Houseplants Plays in the sandbox
Orchids Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Composter Cactus and Succulents Dragonflies Hummingbirder
Oh, I did not take a photo of the media I removed. I only have after repot photo, sorry nothing for you to compare with:



Thumb of 2016-10-31/tarev/e9f685 Thumb of 2016-10-31/tarev/9d26ed
Thumb of 2016-10-31/tarev/d74475
Thumb of 2016-10-31/tarev/06b42c Thumb of 2016-10-31/tarev/0d1985
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Oct 31, 2016 6:52 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Fiat
Modesto -The Central Valley of (Zone 9b)
It looks like the new pot (with slit for the Phal) is 6"... so the fabric container for your zygo is also 6"? Confused Confused
If a plant looks good, smells good, don't eat it, grow it!
Fiat

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