Coelogyne massangeana culture advice needed

[playtime8978]

I have just recieved a Coelogyne masssangeana and it it is not in the best way, the roots are dry and beige but when soaked they were firm just didnt green up, It is a 5 pseudobulb division. I have removed all the brown sheaths around the pseudobulbs and potted up into bark. I cant find much info on how to grow this guy such as temp, watering, light etc but I have read it can sulk for 2-3 years when divided and repotted the pseudobulbs are slightly shrivelled as it came from spain bare root with no moss around the roots to keep it moist, I am rather annoyed about it but the aim now is to get this guy well again, the leaves are nice and green though slightly wrinkled due to (I am guessing ) dehydration. What can I do for this plant to get him healthy again and get some new roots growing I think I am going to have to be very very patient for flowers but for now i just want him to survive. Thank you in advance.

[SP2340]

I don't know anything about that species but I would think potting it and watering it regularly with something like Superthrive until new roots apear would be a good idea.

[isurus79]

I got one of these this past summer as well. The roots are more brown than any other orchid Ive dealt with in the past, so as long as they are firm, they should be fine. I have mine in a basket with spag, it gets medium to low Catt light and constant moisture with a good breeze. The growth I got from it was slightly smaller than the older 2 bulbs, though Im not sure if this is from too little light (though I doubt it, the leaves are light green), too little water (also doubtful!) or just the shock of being replanted. Hopefully someone chimes in with more experience!

[playtime8978]

Thank you for the comments and information, it has a new growth that looks like it is still developing and that is good news about the roots I really was worried by the look of them, I have read that this plant can sulk for 2-3 years when divided or repotted so I might be waiting a rather long time for flowers, oh well long term challenge will be all the better if I do ever get it to bloom! again thank you both I will see if i can locate some superthrive also.

[A G]

I have had this species for around 10 years, and I find it quite easy to grow. I grow mine on the windowsill, window facing west.

Temperatures in the winter are about 20-23 C at day and 18-19 C during the night. This year it didnt receive any extra light during the winter but it still produced 20 buds from one of the bulbs (just opening now infact )

I try to move it outside in the summer, with higher day temperatures and lower night temperatures as a result. (day around 20-28, night 14-19). According to what I´ve read, the humidity should be around 40-60%

The roots are indeed mud brown and the active root tips are beige-red colored, I havent seen any big change in color when they get wet.
I repotted mine in October 2008, and it still flowers, however it has dropped almost all the leaves from the older bulbs (3 yeras and older). But I do believe that I´m just lucky in this case, because from my experience it does not like having the roots disturbed.

Other than that, I really like the species.

Picture of the buds taken last weekend:

[kavanaru]

wow... interesting spike.. how big is this plant?

[playtime8978]

Thank you so much AG for the information and that picture is wonderful I am so hoping that my division one day flowers as well as yours is, it is good to know the little guy can go outside in the summer if its warm enough and if we do get good enough weather he will go out, all that fresh air is good for anyone and anything!

[A G]

Ramón: I just counted them and the plant currently have 17 bulbs. It got three new growths the past 6 months, most of the bulbs are old ones without leaves. I´ll take some photos of the whole plant later this week when all the flowers have opened.

Carrie: From my experience, its quite easy to grow as long as you dont mess to much with the roots. So think you will do just fine.

[kavanaru]

hehe... Anders, thanks for the info... actually, I was asking for the size in cm from the bottom to the top ofthe plant

[A G]

Sorry for the delay Ramón. The bulb that flowers now is about 10cm and leaves around 35cm. Almost too big for my windowsill.