Coelogyne cristata 'spike' confusion

[mossmac]

Hi there,

I'm new to this website and probably this question has been asked many times before (sorry if it has!) - how do Coelogyne cristata flower spikes and leaf spikes differ in appearance?

I recently purchased a very large Coelogyne cristata which now has spikes emerging from the base of dozens of pseudobulbs. Some pseudobulbs have even got two spikes emerging from their base. The spikes are green in colour with a pointy end and a 'pleated' appearance.

I know Coelogyne cristata is renowned for being a little tricky to bloom so I am not getting too excited at present. The plant is very healthy looking with lush green leaves and plump pseudobulbs. Perhaps it has not had enough of a 'shock' to induce it into flowering (so probably they are just leaf spikes I see).

Any help/ advice would be greatly appreciated. If anyone has a Coelogyne cristata with flower spikes, I would love to see a photo. I guess that once you know the difference between a leaf spike and a flower spike, there is no mistaking the difference!

Mossmac