Collection: Coelogyne Orchids
Coelogyne is a large Asian genus that, since 2021, also includes the chain orchids formerly known as Dendrochilum and the former Pholidota. Many of the plants in this collection will be familiar under their old names – neat clumps of grassy leaves and long, two-ranked chains of small flowers from the mountains of the Philippines, alongside larger-flowered species from the Himalaya and southern China.
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Every listing uses the name currently accepted by Kew, with the former Dendrochilum or Pholidota name alongside so you can match it to a label. In a few cases the species name changed as well as the genus – Dendrochilum stenophyllum, for example, is now Coelogyne lagarophylla.
What to expect
The former Dendrochilum species produce chains of tiny flowers, often in great numbers on a mature plant, in white, cream, yellow, orange and red. They are compact, adaptable and suit both pots and mounts. Most flower from the new growths, so a plant that is growing well is a plant that will flower.
Care notes
Bright filtered light, steady moisture while in growth and good air movement suit most of this group. High-altitude species such as C. tenella and C. javieriana want cooler conditions than lowland forms of C. wenzelii. See the Coelogyne & Dendrochilum Orchid Care Guide, and for background read What Happened to Dendrochilum?, How to Grow Dendrochilum (Chain Orchids) in Australia and Why Your Chain Orchid Won’t Flower.
