Stephen Albert
Coelogyne is a genus of tree-dwelling (epiphytic) orchids that bear cascades of fragrant white or yellow flowers in pendent racemes.
Coelogyne are cool- to intermediate -growing orchids. They can withstand outdoor temperatures to 59°F (15°C). In cooler regions, they should be grown indoors or in a greenhouse. They are best grown in epiphytic orchid potting mix in a container or slatted basket.
Coelogyne is a genus of more than 100 species of evergreen, epiphytic orchids occurring from lowland forest to high altitudes in mountainous regions from India and Southeast Asia to the Pacific islands.
Get to know Coelogyne
- Plant type: Epiphytic orchid
- Growing zones and range: Zones 13-15
- Hardiness: Minimum temperature of 59°F (15°C)
- Height and width: 12 to 30 inches (30-75cm) tall and 12 to 24 inches (30-60cm) wide
- Foliage: 2 narrow to broadly elliptic, leathery, pleated, generally mid-green leaves.
- Flowers: Flowers with fringed lips are borne in racemes, mainly from the center of new growth
- Bloom time: Spring to summer
- Uses: Houseplant, tropical garden
- Common name: Coelogyne
- Botanical name: Coelogyne
- Family name: Orchidaceae
- Origin: Mountainous regions from India and Southeast Asia to the Pacific islands.
Where to plant Coelogyne
- Light: Grow Coelogyne in bright filtered light.
- Soil: Grow Coelogyne in epiphytic orchid potting mix in a container or slatted basket.
When to plant Coelogyne
- Set Coelogyne outdoors in tropical or subtropical regions any time during the year.
Planting and spacing Coelogyne
- Space Coelogyne 12 to 24 inches (30-60cm) apart depending on the variety.
How to water and feed Coelogyne
- Water: Water Coelogyne freely during the growing season. In winter Coelogyne should be kept completely dry.
- Mist Coelogyne once or twice daily; it wants high humidity and good air circulation.
- Feeding: Apply an orchid fertilizer every third watering.
Coelogyne care
- In summer, provide moderate to high humidity, good ventilation, and bright filtered light; water freely, apply fertilizer at every third watering, and mist once or twice daily.
- In winter, admit full light and keep completely dry.
Coelogyne pests and diseases
- Coelogyne is susceptible to attack by spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs.
Coelogyne propagation
- Divide Coelogyne when the plant fill the container and flwoer voer the sides.
- Remove back bulbs after flowering and pot them up separately.
Coelogyne varieties to grow
- Coelogyne barbata. Epiphytic orchid grows to 18 inches (45cm) tall and wide; conical pseudobulbs and oblong-lance-shaped, semi-rigid leaves, 18 inches (45cm) long; bears a succession of pure white flowers, 2 inches (5cm) across, with brown and white, fringed lips, are produced in summer, in upright racemes.
- C. burfordiense (C. asperata x C. pandurata). Epiphytic orchid grows to 30 inches tall (75cm) and 36in (90cm) wide; flattened, ribbed pseudobulbs and elliptic-lance-shaped, semi-rigid, folded leaves, 24 inches (60cm) long; apple-green flowers, 4 inches (10cm) across, with black lacing on the lips, are produced in arching racemes in summer.
- C. cristata. Epiphytic orchid grows 12inces (30cm) tall and 24 inches (60cm) wide; rounded pseudobulbs and lance-shaped-leaves, to 12 inches (30cm) long; pendent racemes of pure white, strongly fragrant flowers, 3 inches (8cm) across, with yellow-marked lips, are produced from winter to spring.
- C. dayana. Epiphytic orchid grows 24 inches (60cm) tall and wide; conical pseudobulbs and lance-shaped, semi-rigid leaves, to 30 inches (75cm) long; pendent racemes of many fragrant, pale yellow flowers, 2 inches (5cm) across, marked dark brown, with white-veined lips are borne from winter to spring.
- C. flaccida. Epiphytic orchid grows to 10 inches (25cm) tall and 12 inches (30cm) wide; conical pseudobulbs and lance-shaped, semi-rigid leaves, 8 inches (20cm) long; bears racemes of strongly fragrant white flowers, 1 ½ inch (4cm) across, marked yellow on the central lobe of each lip and reddish brown on the lateral lobes.
- C. massangeana. Epiphytic orchid grows 24 inches (60cm) tall and wide; conical pseudobulbs and elliptic-ovate, semi-rigid leaves, to 18 inches(45cm) long; fragrant, pale yellow flowers, 2 inches (5cm) across, with brown and yellow lips, are produced in pendent racemes from spring to early summer.
- C. nitida syn. C. ochracea. Epiphytic orchid grows 10 inches (25cm) tall and 12 inches (30cm). with oblong, shining pseudobulbs; elliptic-lance-shaped, dark green leaves, to 12 inches (30cm) long; bears racemes of strongly fragrant, pure white flowers, 1 inch (2.5cm) across, with orange and yellow lip markings from spring to early summer.
- C. ochracea. see C. nitida.
- C. pandurata. Epiphytic orchid grows 30 inches (75cm) tall, 36 inches (90cm) wide: flattened, ribbed pseudobulbs and producing elliptic-lance-shaped, semi-rigid, folded leaves, to 24inches (60cm) long; pale green, fragrant flowers, 3 inches (8cm) or more across, with black lip markings, are produced in long, arching racemes of 7 to 15 inches in summer.
- C. speciose. Epiphytic orchid grows 12 inches (30cm) tall, 24 inches (60cm) wide; conical pseudobulbs; elliptic or lance-shaped leaves, to 14 inches (35cm) long; bears tawny green-yellow to pale salmon-pink flowers, 3inches (8cm) across, with reddish brown lips, in pendent racemes in any season; var. salmonicolor has spindle-shaped pseudobulbs, wavy-edged leaves, and salmon-pink flowers with brown-checkered lips.
