Coelogyne cristata

[Milda]

I have a small cristata, but haven't got it to bloom the last 3 years. It has been outside the whole summer and got some nice bulbs. Now I have to chose, cool temperature, but low light - or intermedia with good light. I think the intermedia temp is too high, but on the other side, I can't get extra light where it is cold. My space is limited!!

Milda

[Ross]

Have you tried compact flourescent bulbs such as http://www.fullspectrumsolutions.com...ct_69_prd1.htm

I use the 55 watt model to supplement natural light and they take very little space. Just a thought.

[Milda]

Well, you see - I have orchids in the livingroom (no extra light there), kitchenwindows (extra light), hall (set up with extra light), bathroom (no extra light), and finally the bedroom (C. cristata is placed here - no extra light). My husband lives in this house as well, and I am not quite sure how he will react if I install lights in the bedroom window aswell

[Ross]

What about switching it for something in one of the areas with extra light? Just until it blooms?

[Wendy]

I have heard that you can put them in a bright window in the day and then in the fridge at night. That way they cool way down at night but get bright light during the day. I've never tried it but I've heard several people say that it works.

[Milda]

Thanks for the tip I can just imagine my husband early in the morning open the fridge to get the milk - and there he stands with the cristata in his hand Our fridge is so small that I have to remove half of the stuff before I can find what I want
You see - at the moment we rent a small appartment (100 m2) while we are building our new house. In this small appartment live I and my husband, his doughter at 25 AND 60 orchids And I try to be patient about the fridge too - soon I get a new one!
Well, since I really wanted flowers on my cristata, I have put up a small lamp in the bedroom window..... and since my husband is very patient with me - he hasn't said a word about it

Milda

[Angurek]

Good luck with that cristata! C. cristata is my favorite Coelogyne, and mooreana comes in at a close second. However, I think the temperatures here would be too warm for their liking.

[masda]

Can you reflect the light with a large mirror,? I have tried this and it seemed to work. the orchid is a cool grower and detests being disturbed, Mine grows in a terra cotta shallow bowl with a small amount of tree fern chunks and is watered every other day in the summer. It has be undisturbed for 4 years and has flowered each year.

[savor]

As you probably know, cristata is found in cool cloud forests but they do prefer a bright winter. I'm not brave enough to go the fridge route. I'd be forgetful and leave it there too long. Personally I don't think that much cool is crucial. I definitely suggest bright light to finish the year with fragrant blooms. Mine blooms in January.
Lee