We have really enjoyed a week of South American Orchids but our Asian species are demanding some attention, especially this dramatic Coelogyne species with 1m long pendulous flower spikes.

The species is native to Malaysia, Thailand and Borneo where it grows 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.

We have seen a number of warm growing Coelogynes in the forests of Sarawak during our visits including Coelogyne asperata (below) in October, and most were growing in shaded spots in the lower branches or on the trunks of trees where the large leaves are protected from too much intense equatorial sunshine.

The image below (Taken in the Mulu National Park), shows perfectly the natural habitat of Coelogynes such as C.pulverula.

You can also see that pendulous flower spikes are great for pollinator access as there is a good space below the plant.

The flowers do bruise quite easily and so it is worth moving a plant in spike to a safe place, like ours in the photo, for the flower spikes to grow where they won’t touch things or be knocked.