Coelogyne barbata

Also known as: The Bearded Coelogyne in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Bhutan Nagaland - India Nepal

General Information

The Bearded Coelogyne is a small to medium sized sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic or lithophytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Bhutan, India and Nepal. The name refers to the hairy callus of the lip.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 50cm. Each new growth has numerous leathery thick, lance shaped, oblong shaped leaves that grow to 15-45cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 7-10cm

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear during Autumn and Winter

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant. The fragrance can be described as musky

Blooming Season

• Autumn
• Winter

Substrate(s)

• Coarse

Care Notes

These orchids like to be watered regulary, especially during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered daily or even many times a day.

These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 5mm to 312mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in December. Humidity ranges from 64% to 86%, highest in August and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 2C to 23C, highest in July (17C to 23C) and lowest in January (2C to 16C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a wet-dry cycle between waterings, they should be watered frequently but only when the moisture is approaching dryness, where the pot feels light and/or the media looks dry. Keep an eye on mounted orchids in warm weather as they may dehydrate quickly.

Fertiliser

Apply liquid based fertiliser per recommended directions. They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, followed by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears, and a balanced fertiliser in other times. These orchids can also tolerate slow release fertiliser applied 1-2 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.

Potting

These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow. 

Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.

Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,

Use water retentive media such as moss to prevent roots from drying out quickly This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots