This dramatic Coelogyne usually flowers for us in August but has thrown an early spike this year. As you can see from Joe’s effort to wear the plant as a hat the flower spikes are very long and pendulous making this not the easiest plant to transport of display but the flowers make it worth the effort.

The species is native to Malaysia, Thailand and Borneo where it grown on the trunks and lower branches of large trees in evergreen forest from 300 to 1800m. We find that the species enjoys growing warm but well shaded and kept moist throughout the year.  We find that leaves can become damaged by bright sun or by plants being allowed to become dry for long periods.

The flowers do bruise quite easily and so it is worth moving a plant in spike to a safe place for the flower spikes to grow where they wont touch things or be knocked.