coelogyne ovalis

[hannah]

Hi everyone, I recently purchased this coelogyne ovalis from a popular online auction site (twas a bargain) but i didnt realise it was mounted. I have no experience with mounted orchids and would rather pot it up. I dont really have anywhere I can put a mount. What do you think? Also, is that a flower spike? (2nd pic)

ps I also heard that the flowers are slightly fragrant... and not in a nice way... any thoughts?

pps Anyone have a clue how on earth to pronounce coelogyne? I heard it was like see-lodge-nee but I am english, am I supposed to say it like that?

[hannah]

also, I purchased a Masdevallia paivaeana, do you think these are flower spikes?

ps my fave phal is blooming at the mo, like it? =)

[kiwiorchids]

Oops! i would have kept it mounted! Coelogynes typically have cascading spikes, and if this was mounted, well WHY DID YOU TAKE IT OFF?!
they are easy to care for
I keep all my mounted plants watered once a day or every two days (sometimes i forget and they can go for up to a fortnight without water) and provide good air movement and the basic heat/light requirements of that particular plant. Also, some plants will NOT grow in a pot. Its just the way they grow. Some like a particular species of Sarcochilus will not grow in a pot, it will sulk and die. It needs to be grown on a raft. Some Coelogynes are like this too from experience.

And nope, those are not flower spikes. You will see at the base of every leaf there is a little groove? From inside that the spike will appear, like a Pleurothalis. What you have there are new leaf sheaths. Mine are going full steam ahead with leaves atm.

[hannah]

well thanks, but it is still mounted... I was asking advise on possibilities of potting. I live in the south of england... NOT AT ALL humid, (actually I live in an apartment on the beach) and im worried Im not around enough for constant misting etc. I like my orchids potted because they take a little bit less attention I find, I have a collection of about 100 plants, mostly phals but lots of dendrobiums, coelogyne, oncidiums and a couple of massies.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Hey, I did something similar with a bulbo orchid I got. I called the vendor and told him that I wanted to pot it because a mount would dry out too fast for me. He said to put the mount inside a clay pot and add in some chopped sphag and bark so that the roots of the orchid would grow down into the mix and have plenty of moisture. It worked like a charm and now my little bulbo that had only two leaves when I got it has like seven + now.

cheers,
BD

[hannah]

ok thanks BD I will try that out. Do you think it might have a flower spike forming there though? and if so should I maybe wait until it has finished flowering?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Since you are leaving the orchid on the mount and only setting it down into a pot with some media to help it retain moisture, I see no problem at all. Here is a photo of my bulbo that I told you about:





cheers,
BD

[hannah]

wow that looks great! Ok I will give it a go on my next day off. Better keep misting in the meantime!
ps I count 8 leaves =)

[otis226]

coelogyne
(SEAL - la - jine)

Good Growing,
Tony

[kiwiorchids]

coelogyne
(SEAL - la - jine)

Good Growing,
Tony

lol when i say that it sounds so american! I say it SO-LODGE-IN-E, it sounds so much more natural to me