Coelogyne cristata (first bloom) :)

[kavanaru]

This is a species I wanted to have since I was a little kid and saw it for the first time in the garden books my mother had. Maybe because of the beauty of the flowers and the impssibility of getting in the region of Venezuela where I grew up. Then I moved to Europe, but was always a bit "afraid" of not being able to grow this species...

so... Last year (April, 2007) I decided to buy 2 NFS plants to test my growing conditions. One of them have in the unheated "conservatory" (actually, just a glass-closed balcony ) until end of November (lowest registered temp in the conservatory: 8ºC, and then moved into the apartment (average temp. 20ºC). This plant have just opened 3 out of 4 flowers



the other plant has spent most of the winter in the "conservatory" with temps going down to 3ºC. I brought inside two weeks ago and the two spikes are starting to grow (one is aprox. 6 cm long and the other is 12 cm)

[Ross]

Really interesting flower and plant. Not one I would have considered otherwise. Thanks for sharing.

[Angurek]

Beautiful.

This is one of those genera that I'm reluctant to try, in part because I'm not entirely sure if it would adapt to my area or not.

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by Angurek

Beautiful.

This is one of those genera that I'm reluctant to try, in part because I'm not entirely sure if it would adapt to my area or not.

do it like I did it... try to get some "cheap" plants somewhere and give them a try...

I never thought I would be able to make them bloom... I think that probably in Florida, they could even spend the winter outside (with only some protection when getting below freezing temps..)

[Frdemetr]

Ramón,

Congrats, I love Coelogynes and you did a great job! My cristata grows outside, but it's hard to bloom! (here, seldom winter temp drops below 10ºC - and often are >18º!). Cristata needs a strong hydric stress to 'replace' lower temps! This year I'll try one month more without any water (four months instead of three months)

[Shirley]

: Ramon, Congratulations on doing so well with your Coelogyne. They are very rewarding plants to grow and seem relatively easy here though we keep them indoors. Now that you've got them underway, I hope you have lots of room because cristatas can get pretty large! (See Paul's thread "Can you believe the weak-sister plants"?) I had to get rid of one several years ago because I just didn't have the space. Too bad because they are beautiful.

[calvin_orchidL]

Beautiful! The great thing about them getting big is that you can keep chopping off chunks and giving them away/trading! Great growing..I wonder whether the ones that were cooler for longer will have more blooms..that may be interesting to see.

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by Shirley

: ...I hope you have lots of room because cristatas can get pretty large! ...

well, that's something I am afraid of.. To be honest I do not have too much room anymore... but you know what? you always find place for a nice one (even if you have to get rid of some not very nice... and my 10feet tall olive tree died this winter due to a viral infection... )

[cupcake]

They are beautiful aren't they! I got one as a present and now I have a wishlist 3 miles long! They are obviously happy with you, good growing!