Wildlife value of Zygopetalum — an unexpected bonus

I planted Zygopetalum primarily for ornamental reasons. What I didn't anticipate was the wildlife it would attract. wide hybridisation resulting in an almost unlimited colour range seems to be particularly appealing to bees and butterflies during the main growing period.

I grow it in a bright bathroom with natural humidity which allows me to watch the activity up close. rest period in summer with focus on leaf and root growth is the most active period for wildlife visits. repotting into fresh bark medium every two or three years is important for keeping the plant healthy enough to flower well and provide that value. scale insects on pseudobulbs and undersides of leaves is the thing to watch — it reduces flowering and therefore wildlife visits if left unchecked. A plant that earns its place twice over.