Coelogyne mayeriana

Also known as: Mayer's Coelogyne in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

General Information

Mayer's Coelogyne is a medium to large sized sympodial hot growing epiphytic or terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae. It is named after the German Botanical Garden Director, Stutgart in the 19th century.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 25cm. Each new growth has numerous leaves that grow to 3-20cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 5-10cm. The plant tends to climb or sprawl with each new growth

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Treefern
• Spaghnum Moss
• Perlite

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.

Climate

Grows at low elevations. Rainfall ranges from 175mm to 688mm per day, heaviest in January and lightest in July. Humidity ranges from 82% to 89%, highest in January and lowest in July. Temperature ranges from 22C to 33C, highest in August (23C to 33C) and lowest in January (22C to 31C).

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.

Use balanced fertiliser year round. Be sure to flush out excess fertiliser by running water through the media regularly year round. 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 can be sensitive to repotting though should not require repotting regularly. Repotting should be done when the mix has broken down to the point that it doesn't absorb water or holds onto water for far too long, usually the plant shows a decline in growth as well.

The mix should be free draining, with a blend of 30% inorganic ingredients such as coarse sand, gravel or perlite, mixed in with about 70% organic ingredients such as peat, leaf litter or decomposed bark. Avoid commercial potting mixes as they can vary wildly and may contain "wetting agents" that can hold onto water for loo long, causing rotting and stunted growth.

This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted to Cork slabs. Repotting is best done annually.