Coelogyne pandurata

Also known as: The Lute or Coelogyne pandurata h.f. alba Coelogyne peltastes var. unguiculata in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Philippines

General Information

The Lute is a large sympodial warm to hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Philippines.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 31-51cm. Each new growth has numerous leathery arching, rigid, elliptic, lance shaped leaves that grow to 2.5-46cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 7.5-12.5cm. The plant tends to climb or sprawl with each new growth

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• Treefern
• Spaghnum Moss

Care Notes

These orchids like to be kept on the dry side, but may need to be watered daily during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered regularly.

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 elevations. Rainfall ranges from 160mm to 386mm per day, heaviest in January and lightest in August. Humidity ranges from 81% to 90%, highest in February and lowest in June. Temperature ranges from 23C to 32C, highest in June (23C to 32C) and lowest in March (23C to 30C).

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.

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,