Coelogyne barbata

Coelogyne barbata is a small to medium-sized, cool-growing epiphytic or lithophytic orchid native to the Himalayas, including Nepal, Bhutan, northeast India, Myanmar, and southern China. It thrives at elevations between 1,000 and 1,800 meters in montane forests. The species is named for its distinctive, fringed lip, resembling a beard.

Features:

• Pseudobulbs: Clustered, ovoid to pear-shaped, pale green, 2.5–8.5 cm long and 1.5–4.5 cm wide, enveloped by imbricate, papery sheaths.

• Leaves: Two oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, coriaceous, plicate, 9-nerved, undulate leaves, each 25–30 cm long and 6 cm wide.

• Flowers: White with a brown lip, about 5–8 cm in diameter, with lanceolate sepals and a trilobed lip featuring a fringed, beard-like margin.

• Blooming Season: Typically blooms in fall and winter, from September to November.

Care Tips:

• Light: Bright, filtered light; avoid direct sunlight.

• Temperature: Cool to intermediate temperatures; daytime 18–25°C, nighttime 10–15°C.

• Humidity: Maintain 60–80% humidity; ensure good air circulation.

• Watering: Water thoroughly when the top inch of the substrate feels dry; reduce watering during dormancy.

• Substrate: Use a well-draining mix, such as bark, perlite, and sphagnum moss.

• Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer every 2–3 weeks during the growing season; reduce feeding during dormancy.

• Repotting: Repot every 2–3 years or when the plant outgrows its pot; best done after flowering.