Coelogyne
(pronounced see-LOJ-in-ee )
Coelogynes are essentially divided into cool growers from northern India and Nepal and warm growers form the low lying rainforests of Indonesia and Borneo. The cool-growing species especially C. cristata, C. nitida (syn. ochracea) and C. mooreana are all very easy to grow and are almost hardy and produce some of the most magnificent flowers of the entire orchid family. As if that weren’t enough the flowers are often primrose scented. The warmer growing species include the highly exotic green and black flowered C. pandurata and C. tomentosa which produces pendulous flowering cascades of up to a metre in length! Surprisingly there has been little hybridisation of Coelogynes.
Temperature
CoolNight temperatures of between 10° and 12°C with a daytime rise of about 10°C. and warmNight temperatures between 14° and 16°C with a daytime temperature rise of about 10°C. depending upon the species.
Light
High.
Watering
Plentiful during the summer but given sparingly after the pseudobulbs have fully fattened in the autumn. They don’t have extensive roots and these are easily damaged and therefore repot only when necessary.
Feeding
Low. Coelogynes have limited root systems which can be scorched if excessive fertiliser is used and manifesting in premature leaf death.