Zygopetalum sellowii - Zygo Orchid
Sprouts of BristolZygopetalum sellowii is a stunning orchid species native to the cloud forests of Brazil. Known for its large, vibrant flowers with deep green and purple hues, this species is a favourite among collectors for both its beauty and its intriguing fragrance. The flowers of Z. sellowii feature a unique combination of bold, contrasting colours and intricate patterns, making it a visually striking addition to any orchid collection. Like many orchids in the Zygopetalum genus, sellowii thrives in bright, indirect light and requires a humid environment to flourish. Its relatively hardy nature makes it suitable for intermediate orchid growers, although it still requires attention to detail in terms of watering and humidity to reach its full potential.
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
The genus name Zygopetalum is derived from the Greek words zygos (yoke) and petalon (petal), referencing the shape of the flower’s lip. The species name sellowii is in honour of the German botanist Wilhelm Sellow, who made significant contributions to the study of Brazilian flora.
Zygopetalum sellowii was first described by John Lindley in 1832. This species is named after Wilhelm Sellow, a German botanist who is known for his plant collection from Brazil. Z. sellowii is native to the cloud forests of Brazil, where it grows in the cool, shaded environments of higher altitudes. It is a popular orchid due to its large, colourful flowers and fragrant scent, often grown by enthusiasts for its showy blooms and pleasing fragrance. The species was historically considered part of the broader Zygopetalum genus, and its classification remains largely unchanged to this day.
Common Name
Brazilian Zygopetalum, Zygo Orchid
Origin
Native to Brazil, particularly the cloud forests of the Brazilian highlands.
Light
Zygopetalum sellowii prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can burn the leaves and damage the plant. A spot near a window with sheer curtains or filtered sunlight works well for this orchid. Providing it with around 4-6 hours of light daily will help it grow and bloom successfully.
Water
This species requires regular watering, but it is essential to let the top layer of the soil dry out before watering again. Orchids in the Zygopetalum genus are prone to root rot if left sitting in water, so ensure the plant is in a well-draining potting mix. Water thoroughly but avoid overwatering, 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 during winter. Misting the plant lightly can also help maintain adequate humidity levels around it.
Soil
Use a well-draining orchid mix that contains bark, perlite, and sphagnum moss. This mix ensures good air circulation around the roots and prevents the soil from becoming too soggy. Orchids like Zygopetalum sellowii prefer to be grown in slightly acidic, light, and aerated soil. Repot every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate new root growth.
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. Over-fertilising can damage the plant, so it’s important to follow the fertiliser’s instructions and avoid applying it too frequently.
Temperature
This orchid prefers moderate to warm temperatures, ideally between 18°C and 24°C during the day. It is more tolerant of slightly cooler temperatures in the evening but should not be exposed to temperatures below 12°C. Cold drafts can harm the plant, so it is best to place it in a sheltered location.
Pet-Safe
While orchids are generally considered non-toxic to pets, it’s best to keep Zygopetalum sellowii out of reach to avoid any accidental ingestion.
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.
• Repotting: Repot every 2-3 years in spring or early summer to refresh the growing medium and allow space for new root growth. Always check for any signs of rot before repotting and trim away any unhealthy roots.
Did You Know?
The flowers of Zygopetalum sellowii 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 make them one of the most sought-after species in the Zygopetalum genus.
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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