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Growing Coelogyne orchids indoors and in greenhouses
Graceful, elegant, and often fragrant, coelogynes are a rewarding group of orchids for indoor growers. With their arching or pendent sprays of flowers, often produced in succession, they provide a striking display. While less flamboyant than cattleyas, their charm lies in their subtlety and variety – from the snow-white Coelogyne cristata to the golden Coelogyne tomentosa. Success with these orchids depends on understanding their seasonal cycles and adapting care to suit different species.
OVERVIEW
The genus Coelogyne currently includes 602 recognised species (source: Kew.org 2025), a large proportion of which were formerly Dendrochilum, Chelonistele, and Pholidota, among others. They are native to Asia, from the Himalaya through Southeast Asia to the Pacific Islands and northeastern Australia. This wide range of geographic locations means that different species have different cultural needs.
This guide focuses on the ‘original’ Coelogyne, where most fall broadly into two groups: cool-growing montane types (e.g. Coel. cristata, Coel. mooreana) and intermediate/warm lowland types (e.g. Coel. pulverula, Coel. tomentosa).
Coelogyne tomentosa
Coelogynes are sympodial orchids, growing along a rhizome and producing enlarged storage organs known as pseudobulbs topped with two leaves. Pseudobulbs are designed to store water so that plants survive dry periods in their natural habitat as well as nutrients for producing flowers and new growths. Coelogynes don’t all follow the pattern of growing, producing a pseudobulb, and then flowering, so it’s important to understand the cycle of each species and conduct the necessary research.
Coelogyne cristata
Coelogyne speciosa 'Burnham'
Coelogyne candoonensis
INDOOR CARE ESSENTIALS
■ Light
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Bright but less than for cattleyas: 2,000–3,000 foot-candles; a hand held 30cm over the leaves at noon on a bright day should cast an indistinct shadow.
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East or lightly shaded south-facing windows are ideal.
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Avoid harsh midday sun which can scorch leaves.
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Supplemental lighting in winter helps flower initiation and keeps the low elevation species in growth.
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Leaf guide: medium green = healthy; very dark = too little light; yellowish = too much light.
■ Temperature
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Bright but less than for cattleyas: 2,000–3,000 foot-candles; a hand held 30cm over the leaves at noon on a bright day should cast an indistinct shadow.
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East or lightly shaded south-facing windows are ideal.
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Avoid harsh midday sun which can scorch leaves.
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Supplemental lighting in winter helps flower initiation and keeps the low elevation species in growth.
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Leaf guide: medium green = healthy; very dark = too little light; yellowish = too much light.
■ Watering and humidity
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Cool-growing species:
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Spring–autumn: water generously, keeping medium lightly moist;
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Winter: reduce watering, allowing the medium to approach dryness between waterings.
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Warm-growing species:
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Even moisture year-round; don’t allow to dry out for long periods.
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Ideally use rain, reverse osmosis (RO) or distilled water. Occasional tap water will not harm the plants. Never use water that has been softened with salts.
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Humidity: 60–80% with excellent airflow; fans help reduce the risk of rot in damp conditions.
■ Fertilising
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Growing season: weakly, weekly with balanced orchid fertiliser (20N-20P-20K).
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Switch to high-potassium (K) feed in late summer to encourage flowering.
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Reduce or stop fertiliser in winter, especially for cool-growing types during rest period or if you cannot provide sufficient light during the darker days for warmer-growing species.
■ Potting and repotting
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Potting medium: Fine to medium-grade bark mix with sphagnum moss, increasing the percentage of sphagnum for cool types needing more moisture; irrespective, the medium must still be well aerated to avoid root loss.
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Repot every 2–3 years, or before the potting medium breaks down.
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Best time: just as new roots emerge.
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Keep old pseudobulbs as they store energy and help sustain flowering.
SUMMARY
Coelogynes reward growers with graceful sprays of blooms and a wide range of growing styles - from cool, snow-white winter bloomers to bold, warm-growing summer flowerers. The key is to match care to the species’ origin: cool types need a distinct rest, while warm types prefer consistency. With the right balance of light, moisture, and seasonal adjustment, coelogynes are among the most elegant orchids you can grow indoors or in greenhouses in the UK.