Coelogyne cristata - winter treatment to induce blooming?
 

I have a Coelogyne cristata that I've been growing for 2+ years, it now covers most of the top of a 12 inch (30 cm) diameter basket of moisture retaining mix. Probably 25 + pseudobulbs, the largest bulb maybe 4 inches long. Vegetatively, I think the plant is big enough to bloom(?)

My understanding is that the plant needs to be grown cooler, brighter, and drier in order to bloom. My questions are:

1. Are the above winter conditions needed?
2. Temperature: how cold, day & night? Similar to how I'm treating my Cymbidiums (days 50 - 60 F, night not lower than 32 F)? How cold is too cold?
3. Light: in autumn-winter temperatures, is outdoor full sun OK? Plant was grown outdoors all summer.
4. Water: I've heard that water should be reduced until the pseudobulbs have changed from plump/smooth to noticeably wrinkled/ridged. At the above temperatures, would watering only when the medium is nearly dry be appropriate? No fertilizer during the rest?
5. How long should the winter treatment continue, or is there a growth indicator that says to resume water, fertilizer and warmer temperature temperatures?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Coelogyne cristata - winter treatment to induce blooming?
 

Hi! Yes, they need dry cold winter rest of about 6 weeks. Internet data i'm using to grow mine: Winter ranges of 13-16°C (55-61°F) during the day and 7-10°C (45-50°F) during the night are best, but these orchids can tolerate up to 5°C (9°F) higher than the ideals. I don't feel good to cut water completely for my orchids, so i give them some days of dryness and water a bit to avoid the bulbs from shrivelling too much (they are not the same again after the rest :-/)

Heads up: I'm not a coelogyne expert. I just fell in love with cristata and I will try to rebloom her when winter comes. :-)


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I have flowered mine for the past 2 year growing them with cyms.
You should be fine with those conditions.
I would not allow the bulbs to get too wrinkled. It is not needed.
The flower buds should be prominent now. Wait until they grow, which is quite quickly, then you can start the spring regime,
David

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

I'm essentially trying to compile advice I receive here and on 2 other forums to get this plant to bloom. So far, a common theme is that drying is not needed, so I won't do that. I will keep with my Cymbidiums, except I will not let them get quite that cool, keeping them no lower than 40 to 45 F (4 to 7 F), although I have been advised by one experienced grower that a significant cool down should not be needed. My Cattleyas tolerate 40 F with no problem, so I think Coelogyne cristata should also be OK. Cymbidium conditions also suggests bright light, so they will get as much winter sunlight as possible.

Mine copes with 4C min each winter no problem, and flowers every spring. I water it lightly in the winter if the pseudobulbs wrinkle too much

I have a C. cristata as well and have not been able to bloom it. This may be the help I need, I do not have any Cymbidiums but can probably do the same conditions. Thanks.