Another of our regular autumn orchids is this large flowered coelogyne with a magnificent hairy lip adapted for pollination by large bees.

Coelogyne speciosum is native to Malaysia, Borneo, Java and Sumatra where it is reported from 700-2000m altitude. This variety (albicans) has more white on the lip and a light green flower colour than the more usual variety with yellow and brown.

We grow the species in Warm Asia (min 18C) although its range indicates that it could be grown cooler. Each short flower stem produces two or three  flowers that bloom successively over several months and on a large plant can give a very impressive display

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We keep the species well watered throughout the year. It produces the odd flower at anytime through the year but the main flowering is now.

During last year’s visits to Borneo we saw a number of warm growing Coelogyne species similar to Coelogyne speciosa in large trees such as in the photo below.

The plants are growing in shade on the lower branches of trees close to a limestone cliff and the forest is wet and hot throughout the year.