The orchid of coelogin attracts lush greenery and thick delicate inflorescences. The genus of the plant belongs to the Orchidaceae family. Its representatives can be found at the foot of the Himalayas, in Nepal, Vietnam and other countries of Southeast Asia. The photo of the coelogin is often depicted in hanging flower pots, it is great for ampel growing and will become a worthy decoration of the room.
Botanical characteristics
Most coelogins are epiphytes, but there are several lithophytic varieties. The height of the orchid in the natural environment is about 30 cm. Miniature pseudobulbs are located above the thick and winding roots. They resemble berries of green grapes. Smooth bright green peel covered with barely noticeable longitudinal stripes. The length of the pseudobulb is about 3-12 cm. Gradually growing, coelogin forms extensive colonies from a bulb densely pressed against each other.
From the top of the pseudobulb, a pair of long, tapeworm leaves bloom. They have short, fleshy petioles. The length of bright green foliage can reach 30 cm, and the width is 3-5 cm. Relief longitudinal veins appear on the underside of the leaf plate.
In late autumn or winter, a long, drooping peduncle blooms from the base of the bulb. Its length is 20-60 cm. On each peduncle 5-17 small, but very fragrant flowers are collected. They are arranged in the form of a thick brush. Flowers are painted in white, cream or yellowish tint. In each flower there are 5 lanceolate, strongly spread sepals. In the central part is a narrow, three-lobed lip. The lateral lobes are orange or red. Several long, crested outgrowths protrude from the base of the lip.
Life cycle stages
In April, at the base of the pseudobulb, 1-2 pointed vegetative shoots appear. Spiky yellowish sprouts quickly develop and form juicy greens by summer. Shoots use the nutrients of old pseudobulbs, which gradually deflate and frown. In July, you can already see new succulent bulbs at a height of 5 cm at the base of the foliage. Gradually, young pseudobulbs grow darker and grow their own rhizome. When they begin to eat on their own, the old pseudobulbs straighten out again and gain strength. During the period of active vegetation, coelogin needs abundant watering, top dressing and moderately warm air.
Since October, the plant goes into a dormant period, by this time it is necessary to provide a colder and drier climate. During this period, flower sprouts begin to form at the base of the pseudobulbs. By December, flower stalks are already significantly blooming and buds appear. The plant again needs abundant watering and fertilizing. Flowering continues until mid-March. After this, a 2-3-week rest period occurs and the surface of the pseudobulbs wrinkles a little.
Types of Coelogins
120 species are registered in the genus coelogins, however, only the most unpretentious plants are used in the culture. Most popular coelogine crest or comb. The orchid lives in the Himalayas and has rounded bulbs with two tapeworm leaves. On a drooping peduncle 15-30 cm long, 3-10 buds with a diameter of up to 8 cm are located. On the inside of the three-lobed lip there is an orange-yellow spot. Flowering begins in January and lasts 4-6 weeks.
Tselogina Massange. The larger inhabitant of the Malay archipelago has pseudobulbs up to 12 cm long. Fleshy veins are visible on long petiole leaves. Peduncle up to 60 cm long carries many small creamy buds with a pleasant aroma. Narrow sepals border a broad lip. Its lateral lobes are painted in ocher color; a yellowish spot is located in the lower part. Orchid prefers a warmer environment.
Coelogine flacid or drooping. A compact plant with elongated bulbs has 2 lanceolate bright green leaves. Snow-white fragrant flowers are collected in 15-17 buds on a long, drooping peduncle. On the lip there are yellow-orange spots and 3 long ridges.
Coelogin Pandurat. The orchid has oblong pseudobulbs 8-10 cm long. Folded, belt-shaped leaves up to 45 cm in length are located above them. On the falling peduncle, there are up to 10 large flowers. The sepals are painted cream green. Brown spots and black, fringed scallops are visible on the elongated lip. Flowering of this heat-loving plant occurs in June-July.
Celogina specosa (beautiful). A compact plant forms a dense green shoot. Oblong short leaves are painted in light green. Short peduncles carry only 1-2 buds. Sepals are painted in yellowish-green tones. The lip is quite large. In its center is a narrow yellow spot, from which red-brown stains depart.
Reproduction and transplantation
In room conditions, coelogin is propagated by rhizome division. In early spring, the thick curtain is cut into pieces. In each dividend, at least 3 pseudobulbs should be left. Place the slices sprinkled with crushed activated carbon and immediately planted in the ground for orchids. To prevent decay, charcoal is added to the soil.
Tselogin is transplanted only in case of emergency. She does not tolerate interference with the root system. The procedure is carried out in spring or early summer. The soil is slightly dried and the curtain is removed from it. The roots are trying to completely free from the substrate. Too long roots can be shortened a little. Places of cuts roll in charcoal.
For planting coelogins choose wide and flat containers. There should be large holes at the bottom. First, drainage material is poured, and only then the soil mixture is distributed from:
- crushed pine bark;
- sheet compost;
- moss sphagnum;
- charcoal.
After transplanting, watering is reduced or completely stopped for several days.
Cultivation and care
Caring for colegin at home is relatively simple. Those flower growers who have already encountered orchids, consider it unpretentious.
Tselogin needs bright diffused light and long daylight hours. If the plant blooms in winter or is actively developing, it is necessary to use additional illumination. At rest, it is not needed.
In order to achieve active growth and abundant flowering, it is important to observe the correct temperature regime. In summer, the orchid is kept at + 20 ... + 25 ° C. Since autumn, the temperature is gradually lowered, bringing to + 5 ... + 10 ° C. In the summer, it is recommended to take the plant to the balcony or to the garden. You should protect the coelogin from drafts and sharp night cooling.
During the period of active growth, the orchid needs abundant and frequent watering. However, excess water should drain immediately. It should be watered with well-maintained and purified water. With cooling, watering is reduced.
An important role is played by high humidity. Like all epiphytes, coelogin should be regularly sprayed and placed near aquariums. If necessary, use trays with wet pebbles and expanded clay. During rest, the air should be drier.
You need to feed the orchid from April to September. Use special mineral complexes for orchids. Fertilizer is bred in water for irrigation. Part of the portion is distributed over the foliage.
Coelogin does not need molding trimming. After flowering is complete, flower stalks can be removed.
With the wrong regime of watering and dampness, fungal infections can develop on the hemp. Dry the substrate immediately and treat the plant with fungicide. Sometimes on leaflets you can find aphids or spider mites. You can get rid of parasites with the help of effective insecticides.
