| Growing Coelogyne Orchids |
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Coelogyne - pronounced - see lodge
nee
8 - 25 C (40 - 80 F) Coelogyne are in the main cool growing species
and hybrids but some will tolerate intermediate conditions without
harm. A great many of them come from India and the Himalayas where
they grow along side Pleione orchids
in cool mountain regions that experience dry cool winters and heavy
rainfall during monsoon months. This natural growth pattern is what
gives us the clue about their cultivation in the home or greenhouse
as some of them will not flower unless they receive a break from watering
and are kept very cool in the winter. Light requirementsCoelogyne
appreciate high light levels to allow them to build up their food
source in the pseudobulbs, this high light level will also produce
well formed and compact plants. Although they like high light levels
they should not be placed in direct strong sunlight near to the glass
as the leaves may become scorched - use some form of white wash or
mesh curtain to take the harshness out of the sunlight.
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left: Coelogyne massangeana
Watering requirements - see note below
As mentioned earlier, many of the Coelogyne need a break
from watering (rest), typically this should be from
late October through till March. During these months it is
advisable to keep them almost dry and water them very sparingly
(if at all). If your greenhouse has a moist atmosphere
then you may not have to water them at all but if the atmosphere
is very dry or if you are keeping them in a centrally heated
house (in a cool room) you should water them very lightly
every 6 weeks, this may take the form of moderate spraying
with clean water rather than actually watering the plant.
The idea here is to keep them from totally drying up and dying
whilst not giving enough water to encourage them in to growth.
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| CURRENTLY AVAILABLE COELOGYNE ORCHIDS |
From March through till October these plants like plenty of water
and this should be given every 7 to 10 days depending on the temperature
- the warmer it is the more they will use - the cooler it is, the
less they will use. Start by giving their first watering after they
have flowered or when new growth is around 1/2 inch high.
Feeding requirements
The plants are moderate feeders and a general purpose plant
food can be applied from April to September at 1/4 the pack
recommendation Flush the pot out once a month with clean water
to remove any unused plant food and salts which can build
up in the compost and harm the roots. During late August and
September you should water with a higher potash feed which
will encourage the current years bulbs to harden and produce
more and bigger flowers the following spring or during winter
for winter flowering types. Re-potting scheduleThe plants
should never be over potted as this can cause excess water
to be retained in the pot causing some stagnation of the compost.
Use a medium grade compost and repot every April after flowering
or alternatively allow them to grow in to large specimen plants
and repot every 2 to 3 years. Note on watering, temperature
and flowering of commonly grown Coelogyne
RIGHT: The beautiful Coelogyne cristata |
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| Name |
Temperature |
Flowering |
Rest |
| Coelogyne cristata |
Cool |
Jan/Feb |
Yes |
| Coelogyne massangeana |
Cool/Intermediate |
May/June |
Partial |
| Coelogyne pandurata |
Cool |
April/May |
Yes |
| Coelogyne ochracaea |
Cool |
Jan/Mar |
Yes |
| Coelogyne mooreana |
Cool/Intermediate |
Feb/April |
Partial |
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| CURRENTLY AVAILABLE COELOGYNE ORCHIDS |
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