Coelogyne speciosa

Also known as: The Beautiful Coelogyne or Coelogyne speciosa h.v. salmonicolor Coelogyne speciosa h.f. salmonicolor Coelogyne speciosa ssp. speciosa Coelogyne speciosa var. albicans Coelogyne speciosa ssp. fimbriata Coelogyne speciosa var. alba Coelogyne speciosa var. rubiginosa Coelogyne speciosa var. major Coelogyne speciosa var. incarnata Coelogyne speciosa var. fimbriata Coelogyne speciosa ssp. incarnata in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

General Information

The Beautiful Coelogyne is a large cool to warm growing epiphytic or terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae.

Plant Description

Each new growth has a single lance shaped oblong shaped leaf that grows to 5-30cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 2.2-6.5cm

Flowers

Numerous long lasting, fragrant blossoms appear

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Bark
• Charcoal
• 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.

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 51mm to 254mm per day, heaviest in August and lightest in March. Humidity ranges from 62% to 79%, highest in July and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 13C to 24C, highest in March (15C to 24C) and lowest in January (13C to 22C).

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 during Spring and Summer. 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.