Surprising Coelogyne bloom (and identification needed)

[Orchid Whisperer]

I received a division of of this Coelogyne just over 2 months ago. The Northeast Georgia Orchid Society helped Georgia Plant Biology Department with curatorial duties for its orchid collection, specifically dividing, repotting, relabeling, checking plants for pests, and teaching undergraduate students to help with these tasks. Club members and students that participated received orchid divisions for their help.

This division came from a very large plant labeled as Coelogyne cristata (clearly incorrect). I thought possibly C. mooreana or something close to it (it was not blooming at the time).

This morning while watering, I was was totally surprised to find that a spike had been hiding behind the plant:



The largest pseudobulb shown is about 4 inches tall. Some pseudobulbs on the main plant were up to 5.5 inches tall. They are roughly square in cross section.

Here are close-ups of the flowers:




My guess as to the identity: C. mossiae(?), or C. Unchained Melody, or something similar. I do realize that a positive ID is not possible from a photo in most cases. I do hope to be close enough to be able to learn proper care of the plant.

Any educated guesses? All help appreciated.

[Subrosa]

Certainly looks like Unchained Melody.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Certainly looks like Unchained Melody.

Thanks! On researching a bit more, I am increasingly agreeing with that ID, and thinking 'mossiae' is a false trail. have a look at this page: http://coelogynes.com/Hybrid%20Coel%...siae'.html The IOSPE page on Coel. mossiae shows a plant that looks completely different: IOSPE PHOTOS

It seems that the reason I am seeing references to similar plants labeled 'mossiae' is that there have been mis-labeled plants with that name floating around out there.

[Dollythehun]

I could never help with the ID but, it is lovely, as is your back yard. Thanks for the slice of sunshine.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

I could never help with the ID but, it is lovely, as is your back yard. Thanks for the slice of sunshine.

Thanks! The real slice of sunshine will come when the daffodils and other bulbs start blooming in February. Right now the bulbs are poking the early leaves out of the ground. With climate changing, our winters have grown noticeably warmer since I moved to Georgia. On the down side, we now have armadillos that never lived this far north in Georgia before, now they are everywhere here. The plus side is that spring flowers start blooming in January and February. I still have roses blooming occasionally, and a neighbor has white iris blooming now (iris for Christmas and New Years!!). Maybe I will post daffodil pictures in a few weeks.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Thanks! On researching a bit more, I am increasingly agreeing with that ID, and thinking 'mossiae' is a false trail. have a look at this page: http://coelogynes.com/Hybrid%20Coel%...siae'.html The IOSPE page on Coel. mossiae shows a plant that looks completely different: IOSPE PHOTOS

It seems that the reason I am seeing references to similar plants labeled 'mossiae' is that there have been mis-labeled plants with that name floating around out there.

Mine was tagged as C. mooreana........

[No-Pro-mwa]

What a nice surprise. There pretty blooms.

[DeaC]

Nice surprise! Coelogyne.com is my go-to also for info but whatever you have is a keeper. Georgia sounds like a lovely place to call home btw.