Coelogyne is a genus of orchids that includes both terrestrial as well as epiphytic species. There are about 150 species of Coelogyne in the world, and they are found across Asia, from the Himalayas and South China all the way to East Asia. They have oval pseudobulbs that emerge from a rhizome. Each pseudobulb has one or two leaves. The flowers issue either from the base of the pseudobulb or from the top. They vary both in size and colour. The majority are uninteresting and not long lasting, except for Coelogyne cristata.
Coelogyne is creeping in habit, so it is best to be grown in hanging pots. Water them well during the growing season. To induce flowering, allow them to dry out a bit. Here are some species of Coelogyne:
Coelogyne asperta
Coelogyne cristata
Coelogyne foestermani
Coelogyne longifolia
Coelogyne pandurata
Coelogyne rochussenii
Positioning Coelogyne
Coelogyne likes a well-lit place. Screen them from mid-day sun. They are best grown in a greenhouse. Coelogyne cristata thrives best in an east-facing window.
Care
Ensure that temperature does not drop below 12°C (5e°F) or between 16°C and 18°C during the day.
Watering
Coelogyne enjoys generous watering during their growing period. Make sure the water is free of minerals and lime. After flowering, the plant should be given a dormant season from one to two months, when you should reduce watering. Temperate species need 6-8 weeks dormant season while tropical species will grow throughout the year with only a short rest in autumn.
Feeding
Just a little orchid fertiliser is all that the Coelogyne needs, during the growing season.
Repotting
As earlier mentioned, Coelogyne enjoys being grown in hanging baskets. Use sphagnum moss or osmunda fibre.
Propagating
You can propagate your Coelogyne by seed or by division. When dividing your plant, ensure that each section has at least three pseudobulbs.
Hamlyn Encyclopedia of House Plants, by Rob Herwig
Orchids of Asia, by Teoh Eng Soon
The Macdonald Encyclopedia of Orchids
Orchid Growing in the Tropics, by the Orchid Society of South East Asia
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