🇮🇩 Habitat and Ecology
Coelogyne pulverula (the Powdery Coelogyne) is a large, pendent, epiphytic orchid native to Southeast Asia, with a wide distribution including Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, and the Philippines. It is found growing on tree trunks and large branches in lowland and lower montane evergreen forests at elevations typically below 1,500 metres. This species is adapted to a hot to warm growing regime with high humidity and consistent moisture year-round.
🌸 Description and Distinguishing Features
This orchid is a large, vigorous, sympodial perennial that forms impressive clumps.
Pseudobulbs & Foliage: It produces large, cylindrical to ovoid pseudobulbs (up to 15 cm tall) that are topped by two large, leathery, elliptic leaves (up to 50 cm long).
Flowers (Morphology): The spectacular flowers are borne on very long, graceful, pendent spikes (racemes) that emerge from the base of the new growth. These spikes can reach 60 cm to over 1 metre in length. The blooms are medium-sized (3-5 cm wide) and typically appear in spring and summer.
Aesthetics: The flowers are typically pale cream, white, or yellowish-white. The distinguishing feature is the large, deeply lobed lip (labellum), which is marked with prominent, bold, dark brown, or blackish-red markings on the side lobes and crests. The flowers are often faintly fragrant.
💧 Cultivation and Care
Coelogyne pulverula is a warm-growing orchid that requires specialist culture due to its immense size and pendent flower spikes. It must be grown in a hanging basket to accommodate the long, trailing inflorescences.
Light: Needs bright, filtered light. Provide high light without scorching the leaves.
Substrate: Use an open, coarse, and free-draining epiphytic mix of large-grade bark, charcoal, and perlite.
Watering: Water liberally and frequently during the growing season, allowing the medium to approach dryness between soakings. Reduce watering slightly in winter, but the plant should not be allowed to dry out completely.
Temperature:
Optimal Daytime Temperature: 25-35 C (77-86 F).
Optimal Nighttime Temperature: A high minimum temperature is required, ideally 18-28 C (64-68 F).
Humidity: High humidity (60-80%+) and strong air circulation are essential.
✨ Unique Features
This orchid is a magnificent collector's item, prized for its spectacular, ultra-long, pendent flower spikes that can trail for a metre or more, resembling a cascade of pale blooms. The large size of the mature plant and the bold, contrasting dark markings on the lip make it a stunning and imposing architectural feature.
🏷️ Specifications
Plant Size: These plants are divisions from our stock plant and come with at least 3 adult pseudobulbs.
Plant Family: Orchidaceae
Plant Passport: A Coelogyne pulverula B 140084 C [buyer to use number of the plant label] D GB
