Zygopetalum maxillare is found in Brazil and Paraguay. It grows in crevices in rocks where there is water seepage and winding around a live tree fern.
Zygopetalum maxillare, also called as The Chin-Bone Zygopetalum, Eulophia maxillaris, Zygopetalum gautieri, Zygopetalum hasslerianum, Zygopetalum mandibulare, Zygopetalum maxillare var gautieri, Zygopetalum maxillare var sanderianum, Zygopetalum sanderae, Zygopetalum sanderianum, is a species of the genus Zygopetalum. This species was described by Conrad Loddiges in 1832.
IDENTIFY ZYGOPETALUM MAXILLARE - THE CHIN-BONE ZYGOPETALUM
Zygopetalum maxillare is found in Brazil and Paraguay. It grows in crevices in rocks where there is water seepage and winding around a live tree fern in montane rainforests at elevations of 600 to 1000 meters above sea level.
It is a small to medium sized, cool to warm growing epiphyte with ovoid, slightly compressed pseudobulbs carrying 2 to 3, apical, conspicuously veined, narrowly lanceolate, subacuminate leaves.
The Chin-Bone Zygopetalum blooms in the summer on a lateral, to 37 cm long, racemose, 5 to 8 flowered inflorescence. The flowers are fragrant (chocolate), waxy, long-lived, 6 cm in diameter. Below are 2 sepals of burgundy-brown color with small green patches. In the middle of the base, the 3rd sepal and true petals are also burgundy brown. The lip is dark purple at the base and purple-white at the tip.
ZYGOPETALUM MAXILLARE - THE CHIN-BONE ZYGOPETALUM CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Zygopetalum maxillare needs the light level of 30000-40000 lux, about 60% shade, except in winter when on a sunny day. Increase shade for newly potted plants coupled with cooler temperatures. Allow more light during winter. Be careful when adjusting your light exposure because the leaves will burn very easily if over-exposed. The leaves should be light green. Dark leaves are a sign of too little light, while yellowish green leaves are a sign of too much light.
Temperature:
The Chin-Bone Zygopetalum can tolerate temperatures in the range from 10 ° C to 30 ° C. The best temperatures for this orchid are 20-26°C during the day and 10-15°C at night during the summers. Ensure 6-12°C day/night difference to aid flower formation. Summer highs and winter lows can be tolerated for short periods of time without plant damage. If too higher temperatures are maintained for too long it may induce bud drop where as too low temperatures for long periods may cause leaf drop.
Humidity:
This orchids needs relative high humidity level, at least 65% or higher. In conditions of high humidity, it is necessary to regularly ventilate the room where the plants are kept, since wet, stale air is an ideal medium for the mass reproduction of various fungal and bacterial diseases.
Substrate, growing media:
Zygopetalum maxillare should be planted in a plastic pot or a clay pot, specially picking it up to the size of the root system with a small margin of free space on its sides. Since the roots inside the substrate are most often of minimal origin or partially covered with root hairs, the substrate is best chosen more moisture-consuming. In its quality, a mixture of bark of coniferous trees with peat, claydite and moss sphagnum is not bad. The components can be mixed or layered. However, remember, that many factors affect the moisture absorption (and light, and temperature, and humidity), so in the same mixture on one windowsill, it will be absorbed more quickly, and at the other slower.
Planting on the block, of course, is not forbidden, but such a way of growing is not the most successful option for an ordinary window sill, as in spring and summer the roots (even if they have a very thick layer of moss) will dry out quickly enough for 10-20 hours, and you will have to endlessly remove them from their homes and water them. Long drying in the heat is bad not only for the health of the roots, but also for the state of the leaves (the tips dry out, dry spots and dots appear). In hot sunny weather, the plant should be well watered, as all the processes inside the plant go very quickly, and this all the time requires water, and if it does not, it will be taken from more mature pseudobulbs and their leaves.
Repotting:
Repotting is desirable only when it is really necessary. For example: If you water it with ordinary tap water, the pH of which is between 7.2 and 7.8, then over time, as a rule, for 2 years, a favorable pH of the substrate (5.5 to 6.5) also will jump to this index, and the orchid will not be able to absorb more useful substances, for example, iron, which means that it will start to lose its color in the leaves - yellow. In addition, salts accumulate in the substrates from fertilizer or when watering with poor quality water, which the orchid can not quickly (or in general) absorb and process, reaching a certain amount, they can cause massive root burn, and the orchid will lose all its roots overnight.
Watering:
The Chin-Bone Zygopetalum loves water in summer, lots of water, but do not allow the roots to soak in standing water. Water thoroughly at least once or even twice a week to keep them moist. The amount of water will depend on the temperature and media. If the tips start to die back and turn black, this could be a sign of heavy buildup of salts from the water and fertilizer. Their roots are very sensitive to excessive salt buildup. To avoid this problem, be sure that the water flows freely out of the pot during watering. Doing this will wash out excess salts in the media and prevent buildup in the first place. Cut back on the watering in the winter, but never let your plant dry out. The plant will also enjoy overhead misting between watering as long as the leaves are dry by nightfall.
Fertilizer:
In the period of active growth, this plant is fertilized once in 2-3 weeks in 1/2, 1/3 or 1/4 (depending on what grade is the species) from the fertilizer concentration indicated on the package. In addition to the usual root dressing, it is also possible to produce a foliar dressing, when the outermost part of the plant is sprayed with a very diluted fertilizer. It is best to feed the plant, alternating both these methods. The best fertilizer is fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in equal parts, for example, NPK = 3-3-3 or 8-8-8. If you do not have such a fertilizer, alternate - once fertilizer with a large content of nitrogen, and another time - with a high content of phosphorus.
Rest period:
Zygopetalum maxillare does not need a period of rest. Between the beginning of May and the time when the night temperature falls to 14-16 ° C, it is possible (and if you have problems with flowering, it is recommended) to find this plant outdoors: on the balcony or in the garden, so how exactly there are natural changes necessary for a plant between night and day temperatures. The place should be chosen protected from rain, strong winds and direct sunlight.
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