Coelogyne

Family. Orchidaceae.

Origin. Asian regions.

Description. The genus Coelogyne includes about 200 species of evergreen sympodial orchids, which in nature often grow as epiphytes - on the trunks of large trees. Pseudobulbs are large, round or ovoid, reaching a height of 10 - 12 cm. Each pseudobulb bears at the top 1 - 2 strap-like green leaves, each up to 40 cm long. The peduncles are drooping, often hanging below the level of the leaves. Each peduncle bears a raceme consisting of 5 - 20 light flowers. Shades of flowers in light colors - white, yellow, orange, cream. Many species have a pleasant sweet aroma.

Height. 30 - 50 cm. 

Care at home

Maintenance 

From spring to late autumn, coelogyne can be taken out into the fresh air under cover from strong winds, rain and direct sunlight. The main difficulty in growing is maintaining high air humidity. 

Reproduction

By division during transplantation. 

Watering 

Watering should be done in such a way that the soil remains uniformly moist during the growing season. After flowering, the frequency of watering is gradually reduced. In winter, wrinkles on the pseudobulbs will indicate the need for watering. Only softened water at room temperature should be used for watering.

Substrate 

A fibrous soil consisting of sphagnum moss, coconut fibers or fern and coconut fibers, with the addition of crushed charcoal and pine bark. Perlite is suitable for improving drainage. 

Transplantation 

Adult specimens are replanted every 2–3 years in the spring, trying to disturb the orchid’s root system as little as possible.

When it blooms

 Flowering time depends on the variety and conditions of the plant. Flowering is promoted by increased temperature, long daylight hours, regular fertilizing and watering. 

Conditions - temperature

In nature, these plants are found over a large area and the specific temperature conditions for each variety may be different. Most coelogynes prefer moderately warm conditions in spring and summer at a temperature of 21 - 24 ° C, with a decrease at night to 10 - 20 ° C. During the winter months, the bush needs rest for abundant flowering, so it is placed in a cool place with a temperature of 6 - 8 °C. This species does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature.

Lighting

Bright diffused sunlight. Shade the orchid during hot daylight hours and provide it with sunlight in the morning and evening. In autumn and winter, the location should be as illuminated as possible. If there is a lack of sunlight, artificial lighting with fluorescent or LED lamps can be successfully used.

Fertilizer

When growth begins, begin feeding with orchid fertilizer at half strength every 2 weeks. During flowering, change the fertilizer to one that contains more phosphorus.

Spraying 

Coelogynes require high air humidity - about 70% relative. Surround the pot with a layer of moist peat moss or use a room humidifier. Spraying can be carried out in the morning if the plants are in a ventilated area, trying not to get moisture on the buds and flowers. 

Pests and diseases

Of the harmful insects, spider mites, scale insects, aphids and whiteflies may pose a certain danger.

Purpose

Coelogyne grown in a hanging basket will delight the eye with long inflorescences hanging in a cascade.

Varieties:

Coelogyne cristata

Abundantly blooming orchids that look great as ampelous plants when grown in hanging pots. The plant has light green, rounded or ovoid pseudobulbs from 2 to 8 cm high. The leaves are dark green, arcuately curved, glossy, belt-shaped, reaching 15 - 30 cm in length. The peduncles are leafless, often drooping, reaching 30 cm in length. Each peduncle can bear up to 8 large, white flowers up to 10 cm in diameter. Each flower has graceful, corrugated white petals, a large lip, the center of which is painted in a yellow or orange hue. During flowering, the plants emit a pleasant aroma.

Coelogyne massangeana

Epiphytic orchids with oblong, conical, light green pseudobulbs. In adult plants, pseudobulbs become yellowish-green and have a wrinkled surface. Each pseudobulb bears at its apex one green, thick, glossy, oblong-lanceolate leaf with arcuate venation. The peduncles are long, drooping, bearing many small flowers, painted in a delicate beige shade. The lip of the flowers has yellow and brown spots and stripes. 

Coelogyne barbata​

Epiphytic or lithophilous orchids with oblong, ovoid, pale green pseudobulbs from 2.5 to 8 cm long. Each pseudobulb forms 2 green, glossy, oblong-lanceolate leaves 25 - 30 cm long. Peduncles are leafless, erect, up to 45 cm high. During the flowering period, the flower stalks will need support. Each peduncle can bear up to 14 delicate, white flowers. The lip has a brown inner surface and finely indented edges. Each flower reaches a diameter of 5 to 8 cm. During the flowering period, the plants emit a pleasant aroma. 

Coelogyne odoardi

Attractive epiphytic orchids with light green pseudobulbs 2-5 cm long. The leaves are green, glossy, narrowly lanceolate, with arcuate venation. The size of the leaves varies greatly and can be from 5 to 24 cm. This type of orchid has long, thin, leafless, drooping peduncles with many small beige or brown flowers. During the flowering period, the plants have an intense, pleasant aroma. 

Coelogyne fimbriata

Epiphytic or lithophytic orchids with small, ovoid, light green pseudobulbs 3-4 cm high. Each pseudobulb bears at the top two narrow-lanceolate, green, glossy leaves up to 9 cm long on long petioles. The peduncles are thin, short, each bearing a single showy flower at the top. The flowers reach 3 cm in diameter and have cream or yellowish-green triangular petals and a large brown lip. 

Beautiful coelogyne speciosa

Quite large epiphytic orchids with light green, ovoid pseudobulbs up to 6.5 cm high. Each pseudobulb has one or two glossy, green, lanceolate leaves up to 30 cm long. Peduncles are leafless, erect, bearing 1 - 3 large flowers. The flowers reach a diameter of 7.5 cm and have greenish petals and a brownish-white or orange-white, large lip. 

Coelogyne dayana

Large epiphytic or lithophytic orchids with light green, spindle-shaped pseudobulbs from 7 to 25 cm high. Each pseudobulb has two green, hard, narrowly lanceolate, glossy leaves on long petioles. Together with the petiole, the leaves reach 25 - 70 cm in length. Peduncles are drooping, thin, leafless, up to 1 m long. Each peduncle can carry up to 60 fragrant, small flowers, up to 4 cm in diameter. The petals of the flowers are painted in a delicate beige or yellowish shade, while the lip has brown spots and stripes. The flowers open simultaneously and have a very pleasant aroma. 

Coelogyne nitida

A small epiphytic orchid, reaching a height of 22 - 30 cm. The pseudobulbs are cylindrical, green, 7 to 10 cm high. The leaves are green, glossy, narrowly lanceolate, reaching a length of 15 - 20 cm, located on long petioles. Each pseudobulb bears 2 leaves. The peduncles are leafless, strong, vertical, up to 20 cm. Each peduncle is capable of bearing from 3 to 8 attractive, white flowers with a diameter of up to 4 cm. The protruding lip has yellowish, orange or brownish spots on the inner surface.