Coelogyne brachyptera flower spike?

[Jlin]

Hi everyone!
It’s my first post here, so I’m going to add a brief paragraph about me and then ask my question below.

I’m really happy to be part of your community. I’ve been collecting some plants for about 10 years, first in France and now in Montreal, Canada. Since a year and a half I started growing orchids and my collection starts to grow - I now have several Phalaenopsis, several Dendrobiums (nobile types, a variegated Den Phal hybrid) some Oncidiums (twinkles, Colmanara Wildcat ‘bobcat’ - it’s been reclassified from what I’ve heard-) and a Cuitlauzina pendula I’m really excited about. I’m experimenting a bit with my new (intermediate) conditions and with the orchids types I can grow.

My question: So, I just received a plant mail order from TG Orchids: a Dendrobium aphyllum, a Zygonisia cynosure ‘Blue Birds’ and the famous (or should I say the obscure) Coelogyne brachyptera.
As you can see it looks quite healthy (1st picture), and has three pseudobulbs, two of them having dried flower spikes (2nd picture). My question is, could this brown dried looking sheath on the newest and biggest pseudobulb (3rd picture) be a flower spike emerging?

I couldn’t find any info online, cultural informations are sparse, but I read extensively what I found online on this forum and diverse websites, including Coelogynes.com.

Also, the description of the plant on the merchant’s website says flowers are green with an orange lip (see last picture), but from what I've read, Coelogyne brachyptera has fully green flowers with darker markings on the lip. If you have any idea what this variety/species might be, it’s be great! I will have the surprise when it flowers I guess.

Thank you for reading, any advice is appreciated!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Jlin

Hi everyone!
My question is, could this brown dried looking sheath on the newest and biggest pseudobulb (3rd picture) be a flower spike emerging?

First, Welcomd!

That sheath looks like it's in the right place for a spike, but I'm unfamiliar with the species. I found the same pictures that you did for the species, so it will, I think just be a "wait and see". Once it blooms, there are quite a few people on the board who are good at tracking down species... you'll get multiple pairs of eyes on the issue.

Your other plants sound terrific too. Good growing! (I think Cuitlauzina pendula is very near the top of my list of "most beautiful orchids". The precise list changes, but I do love that one)

[Jlin]

Thank you Roberta!

I will keep you posted and try to contain my excitement and hope for the best.

I got lucky with the Cuitlauzina pendula, I managed to grab one during a special sale at one of the Montreal orchid society meetings, where we got divisions from the botanical garden! It has 3 pseudobulbs and I spotted one new growth!

[DeaC]

Me thinks you'll have to wait this one out BUT Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia is great for more info.

[Jlin]

Hey all,
I just wanted to do a little update on my Coelogyne: it has a spike coming out of the dried sheath! 😁
I also noticed the color of the plant changed a bit, it is greener now and seem to be establishing (I haven’t seen any new growth happening).

Stay tuned for the blooms!

[DirtyCoconuts]

Sweet!!

[Jlin]

A few months have passed and it’s finally growing!
The spike aborted not long after, I think because I kept the plant too dry in winter.
It has been outside in part shade here in Montreal for the past two months and it seems to love it! It’s very warm this year with high humidity and there are not one but two new growth plumping up! Exciting times

[DirtyCoconuts]

rock oN!!!