Coelogyne cristata is a species of orchid native to the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. It forms many clumps where so-called bulbs develop. Caring for this type of orchid is not easy because it needs a lot of light without too much sunlight.
How to properly care for a Coelogyne Cristata orchid?
Proper care for the Coelogyne Cristata orchid includes sparse watering after flowering, little fertilization during the growth phase, occasional repotting, pest control when necessary and overwintering at 10 to 15 degrees. Make sure there is enough light and avoid waterlogging.
How to water the Coelogyne cristata correctly?
After flowering, the orchid is watered very little for a few weeks. Only when new shoots appear do you water a little more. However, waterlogging must be avoided at all costs.
From the end of July, the water quantities will be reduced again.
What should you pay attention to when fertilizing?
The Coelogyne cristata only needs a little fertilizer. During the growing season from February to July, you can give some orchid fertilizer at two-week intervals. Never fertilize after repotting.
When should the Coelogyne cristata be repotted?
Do not repot the orchid too often. Bulbs hanging over the edge of the pot are normal and not an indication of a pot that is too small. Use shallow planting bowls as containers that you fill with orchid soil. For deeper pots, you should definitely create drainage in the bottom of the pot.
What diseases and pests can occur?
Diseases occur rarely. Shrinking bulbs are caused by extreme drought. Water the orchid a little more.
In very dry air, spider mite infestations occur. Increase humidity by placing water bowls. Fight the spider mites with commercially available products (€28.00 on Amazon).
What does proper care look like in winter?
The Coelogyne cristata is not hardy. Even in winter it must not be kept cooler than six degrees. If you care for the orchid outside in the summer, you need to bring it back indoors in good time in the fall.
Since the Coelogyne cristata blooms in winter, the ideal temperatures during this time are 10 to 15 degrees. Then the flowers last much longer.
As long as the orchid is not yet blooming, it is only watered very sparingly during the winter. As soon as flower buds appear, increase the watering rates.
Tip
Coelogyne cristata is best propagated by dividing the rhizomes. But this can only happen when the plants are older. Separating them too early weakens the orchid too much and causes it to die.
