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Conservatory Greenhouse

Coelogyne lawrenceana

A large-sized, epiphytic orchid up to 1m wide, producing a clump of green pseudobulbs, which serve as storage organs for water and nutrients. A pair of medium to dark-green, glossy, lance-shaped leaves up to 40cm long and 5cm wide are carried at the tip of each mature pseudobulb. The orchid flowers from autumn to spring on 25cm long, pendulous stems, emerging from the centre of the young growth. Star-shaped, fragrant flowers are 10-15cm in size, large brownish-green with white lip and a red and yellow patch in the centre. Named in memory of Sir James Trevor Lawrence (1831-1913) former President of the RHS

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1C

Botanical details

Family: Orchidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming, Pendulous weeping, Spreading branched
Genus: Coelogyne are epiphytic orchids producing pseudobulbs, each bearing 2 leathery pleated leaves and flowers in racemes, mainly from the centre of the new growth in spring and summer
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in an open, free-draining, bark-based orchid mix. Provide enough bright filtered light, but keep away from direct sunlight or a heating source. Ideal temperatures are around 13°C minimum at night and up to 25 °C during the day. Water regularly, when the pot feels light when lifted. Ensure that all water drains away, preventing the plant from sitting wet. Orchid fertiliser can be applied regularly throughout the growing season. Reduce watering and feeding in winter months. The orchid will naturally produce rhizomes with aerial roots growing outside the pot. As with many orchids, they grow best when well-established and slightly pot-bound. Re-potting should be only done if the plant overgrows its container or before the potting mix starts to deteriorate - approximately once in 2-3 years. See indoor orchid cultivation for more tips

Propagation

Propagation by seed is only possible in a controlled laboratory environment. Well-established plants can be propagated by division. Ensure each division has young enough, mature pseudobulbs to support new growth

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required other than removing spent flower stems

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insect and mealybugs. Thrips can cause damage on flowers and developing flower buds

Diseases

Generally disease-free. Poor air movement may cause bacterial or fungal rots. Good hygiene practice and sterilising cutting tools prevent the spread of virus diseases

Get involved

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