Zygopetalum sellowii - Zygo Orchid
Sprouts of BristolThis species of Zygopetalum orchid (or Zygo orchid for short) has distinctive flowers with green, white and purple colours. Each flower has a delicate purple and white petal at its base, which acts as a kind of 'landing pad' for pollinating insects in the wild, and a fan of bright green petals speckled with maroon-purple towards the centre encircling the centre. Their long, mid-green leaves grow to almost the same height as the flower spikes and sprout from 'pseudobulbs' which serve to store water for these orchids. Add a touch of the tropical jungle with these unusual, scented blooms and their lush tropical foliage. The blooms can last for weeks in the right conditions, so keep this plant happy and you'll enjoy its funky flowers for a while yet!
Important Note We have tried to identify these orchids but please note that we are doing this by eye and comparing the plants we have in the shop to photos online. The orchids might arrive with the flowers open or closed.
Scientific Name
Zygopetalum sellowii (yoked-petal plant, Sellow's species)
This scientific name has been accepted since its initial publication in 1836. The taxonomy of this genus is still being studied, though, so some species might move around over the next few years.
Common Name
Zygopetalum Orchid, Zygo Orchid, Purple Orchid, Sellow's Zygopetalum Orchid
Origin
Native to cloud forests in Eastern Brazil
Light
Zygopetalum sellowii prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can burn the leaves and damage the plant. It will appreciate a splash of morning sun in autumn and winter when it's dormant, though. A spot near a window with sheer curtains or filtered sunlight works well for this orchid.
Water
This species requires regular watering, but it is essential to let the top third of the soil dry out before watering again. Orchids in the Zygopetalum genus are prone to root rot if left sitting in water; if the pot feels heavy when you pick it up, it probably isn't time to water yet. Water thoroughly and ensure it drains afterwards, especially in the cooler months when the plant’s growth slows down.
Humidity
Zygopetalum sellowii thrives in moderate to high humidity levels (50-70%). To maintain the right humidity, place a humidity tray under the pot or use a room humidifier, especially in dry conditions or when the heating is on.
Soil
Use a well-draining orchid mix that contains bark, perlite, and coir. The mix should ensure good air circulation around the roots and prevent the soil from getting too soggy. Repot every 3-4 years to refresh the soil and accommodate new root growth; this level of frequency lets it get slightly rootbound which will make it more likely to bloom.
Food
Feed Zygopetalum sellowii with a balanced orchid fertiliser once a month during the growing season (spring and summer). Reduce feeding during the winter months when the plant’s growth slows. You can supplement this with a foliar orchid feed, in spring, but don't overdo it as this can damage the plant.
Temperature
This orchid prefers temperatures between 18-24°C during the day. It is tolerant of slightly cooler temperatures overnight but should not be exposed to temperatures below 12°C. Cold draughts and blasts of heat from a radiator can harm the plant, so make sure it is sheltered from these.
Pet-Safe
Yes; orchids are generally considered non-toxic to pets. It’s still best for the plant and your pet to keep Zygopetalum sellowii out of reach, though.
Sprouts Top Tips:
Flowering: Zygopetalum sellowii produces large, fragrant flowers in late winter or early spring. For optimal blooming, ensure it receives adequate light and humidity. Avoid disturbing the plant during its flowering period, as this may disrupt its growth cycle. It will also benefit from having a dormancy period in autumn and winter, with lower temperatures, less fertilising and some weak sunlight being introduced.
Did You Know?
Zygopetalum sellowii is one of the most sought-after species in the Zygopetalum genus. They are not only visually striking but also have a pleasant fragrance that makes them a popular choice in both homes and orchid shows. Their vibrant purple and green markings really help them stand out too.
Important Information
If you have any questions, please check out the below or get in touch via our contact formWe're devoted to sending our customers quality plants with the best service around. Every plant is backed by our 7-day guarantee, so they arrive in good health.
Our team takes extra steps when prepping plants for transportation, but they're still sensitive to changes, so there may be minor cosmetic issues. We always aim to photograph and disclose any flaws before shipping, but a living creature travelling across the country in a box can take a hot minute to adjust to its new life.
If you have any issues within 7 days of receiving your order, holler at our customer support team on our contact form with your order details and some pics of the issue. After the guarantee has expired, though, we can't refund as we can't guarantee care and environmental factors. If you repot the plant during the 7 days, the guarantee is void.
We have been sending plants up and down the country for many year now and we like to think we have our way down to an art.
We protect the plant from falling out of the soil with tissue paper and tape if needed, then we wrap the plant in corrugated cardboard, and sometimes we protect the leaves with extra tissue paper if required. This is then placed into a box and if there is any empty space, we fill this with void fill to stop the plants moving around inside the box. Sometimes we will write a note on your packing slip to water the plant on arrival, so please look out for this. This is due a freshly watered plant going in a box will not only be soggy, but as the plant is in darkness this can sometimes make the plant unhappy when just freshly watered.
If your plant arrives to you unhappy, please send us a photo of the plant and packaging if relevant straight away, so we can advise you.
Online orders are packed and dispatched within a few days. Usually depending on volumes, we aim to get your order dispatched within 1 working day. We have collections from Royal Mail 6 days a week so deliveries tend to be speedy.
Our standard parcel delivery service is £4.99 for Royal Mail Tracked48, you can upgrade to Tracked24 for £2.50.
We do offer a Tracked48 Large Letter option for £2.99, and Tracked24 for £1 extra, but this only applies to products less than 2.5cm thick.
*Deliveries 7 days a week only included Tracked24 parcels.
Link to your shipping policy
We get a lot of boxes, packaging and whatnot at Sprouts from all our various supplier's deliveries. We re-use this packaging material where possible, plus we take in donations from local businesses and customers to our shop to avoid excess packaging going to landfill. Sometimes your delivery might look a little different, or come in a branded box from another company, but rest assured the items inside are carefully packed with love and attention inside. We use paper tape and all our branded materials included are fully recyclable. Sometimes we use polystyrene, bubble wrap or plastic wrap in the packaging, all these items are not new and where possible, please use them again.
We have partnered with Zedify to offer low-carbon deliveries in Central Bristol for £6.99.
Zedify collect and deliver orders from us Monday - Friday and will usually deliver your order the same day its collected. If you place your order before 11am, we will aim to get it collected the same day but this isnt always possible. When you have received your dispatch email, Zedify should be delivering your order the same day, anytime before 6pm.
We cannot give an idea of time, but if you would prefer delivery on a certain date (Monday - Friday) please get in touch or leave a note at check out with your preferred delivery date and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
Zedify deliver to the following postcodes BS1, BS2, BS3, BS4, BS5, BS6, BS7, BS8 (1, 2, 3A - 3N, 4), BS9 (1,3,4).
Select click and collect at checkout to collect your order from our Bristol shop.
You will get an email when your order is ready to collect, where possible please come and collect your order the same day as we have limited space. If you are going to collect your order at a later date, please let us know in the message box at check out so we know when to expect you. Some items such as gift sets, kits and pre-order items may not be ready to collect the same day, again please let us know what day you would like to collect and we will let you know if there's any issues.
We do not offer free returns, but if you are unhappy with your delivery, please get in touch. If your parcel or order has been damaged, please take photos and send these over to our team so we can look into this for you.
If you have ordered an item and you would like to exchange it, we should be able to do this for you. There may be an extra charge for delivery, but get in touch to discuss. For plants there is a 7 day return policy and 30 days for everything else, apart from sale items which are none returnable.
You can return or exchange in our Bristol shop for free.
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