GREENGOLD GARDEN CONCEPTS
CARE AND MAINTENANCE NOTES

ZYGOCACTUS

These notes have been reproduced on the GREENGOLD  internet site, with the kind co-operation of BRINDLEY BROTHERS PTY LTD of Coff's Harbor, N.S.W. 

CARE INSTRUCTIONS AND GENERAL INFORMATION

Since 1990 the world of Zygocactus has changed with the introduction of two new types of varieties in Australia and New Zealand.

One new group of plants with larger buds and flowers has upright foliage and is known as SHOWCASE ZYGO (tm) while the other group of semi-upright plants with different flower shapes and/or colors is known as ZYGO FANTASIES (tm).

Traditionally flowering in May/June the new zygocactus provide a splash of colour in late autumn early winter and can be displayed inside the home while in flower,

After flowering the scalloped foliage can provide an unusual indoor foliage plant for inside or on the patio or in the bushouse. Zygocactus are often pushed out of sight after flowering but their advantage is twofold as a living floral display and an indoor foliage plant after flowering.

In the SHOWCASE collection a large apricot and white frilly flower, "Savanah" has been released in 1997 to add to Bridgeport, Santa Cruz, Cambridge, Windsor, Sanibel, Aspen, Pasadena, and St Charles.

Aspen is the first frilly flower to be released with the petals being on the ends. It is white in colour and slightly smaller than the white Bridgeport.

Bridgeport is a brilliant white flowering variety with petals almost twice as wide and buds around three times wider than White Christmas.

Cambridge, a pale yellow flower has broader and longer petals than Gold Fantasy while Santa Cruz is a red-orange flowering variety with white shadings from near the centre of the petal to the throat of the flower.

Windsor is a broad lavender petalled flower with large buds while Sanibel is a broad light salmon colored flower. Pasadena on the other hand is a large red.

St Charles is a large purple flower on vigorous segments.

Because the flowers in the Showcase collection have minimal petal recurve compared to older varieties they appear broader and larger than earlier zygocactus varieties.

On the other hand, the ZYGO FANTASIES collection, is a collection of improved varieties specially bred to replace earlier varieties like White Christmas, Lavender Doll and Gold Charm. The semi-upright growth habits make the Fantasies collection ideal floral displays and hanging baskets.

The seven varieties in the Fantasies collection are Orange Fantasy, Christmas Fantasy, Gold Fantasy, Lavender Fantasy, Magic Fantasy, Sleigh Bells and Holiday Splendor.

Orange Fantasy is a vivid red-orange small flower with white shadings at the base of the petals while Christmas Fantasy is a light salmon long flower.

Gold Fantasy is a much improved version for colour and growth than the older Gold Charm. It has deeper yellow flowers with gold tips and margins on the petals along with deep red-purple buds that mature into deeper yellow flowers.

Lavender Fantasy is a beautiful small lavender flower while Magic Fantasy has small deep magenta ones.

Sleigh Bells is a long red flower while Holiday Splendor is a long vivid purple.

Although commonly known as Zygos or Zygocactus in Australia or Christmas Cactus in Europe and America where they flower at Christmas, Zygos are actually Schlumbergera truncatus hybrids.

Now if you collect zygos you will be pleased to know that even more superb varieties are planned to be released each year in both collections up to the turn of the century. There will be a complete color range for both collections while a range of serrated or frilly petalled flowers will continue to be introduced in the Showcase ZYGO collection.

Because of their uniqueness all the new varieties in the ZYGO Fantasies and Showcase collections have had Plant Breeders Rights granted. or applied for, and commercial propagation is prohibited without the consent of the licensee.

Now that you have started your ZYGO collection there are a few things to remember to help ensure you obtain many years of pleasure from your plants.

WATERING: When watering, allow the potting mix to dry out slightly between waterings.

REPOTTING: If you would like to repot your ZYGO, choose the next size pot up from the one you have. For example, pot a 100mm plant into a 125mm or 140mm pot and a 140mm into a 170 or 200mm.

POTTING MIX: When repotting, use a well drained potting mix - Zygos do not like wet feet.

FERTILIZER: Top dress with a slow release fertilizer like NUTRICOTE or OSMOCOTE in spring. Use one that will last around 6 to 9 months. You can also liquid fertilize regularly (monthly) once growth begins until about a month before buds set which will vary from state to state, but usually in February/March.

ARTIFICIAL LIGHT: In autumn the flowering mechanism of zygos is activated and can be delayed or stopped entirely from year to year if the plant receives extra artificial light of a night from the house or streetlights. If your plant is subjected to this extra artificial light at night around March, simply shift the plant to another position where it receives none !

PINK FLOWERS: Lighter colored flowers like whites, yellows, and apricots can get pink or purple colorings if the temperature drops below 13 degrees Celsius within a few days of the buds opening. Your ZYGO hasn't changed it's color - it has only been affected by the cold !

This page is prepared for GREENGOLD  from notes supplied by BRINDLEY BROTHERS PTY LTD, and was last updated October 01, 2006.