Coelogyne latifolia var. macranthum

Until recently this wonderful orchid was labelled Dendrochilum but in line with our brilliant botanist friends at Kew the genus Dendrochilum has been included in Coelogyne. (Chase, Mark & Gravendeel, Barbara & Sulistyo, Bobby P. & Kusuma Wati, Richa & Schuiteman, André. (2021). Expansion of the orchid genus Coelogyne (Arethuseae; Epidendroideae) to include Bracisepalum, Bulleyia, Chelonistele, Dendrochilum, Dickasonia, Entomophobia, Geesinkorchis, Gynoglottis, Ischnogyne, Nabaluia, Neogyna, Otochilus, Panisea and Pholidota. Phytotaxa. 510. 10.11646/phytotaxa.510.2.1. )

Coelogyne latifolia is native to the Philippines where it grows in mossy forest from 1600 to 2000m and we find it appreciates heavy watering throughout the year and it enjoys conditions our bedroom near to our Velux balcony where it recieved good light and warm days throughout the summer.  It grows quickly into a sizeable plant and is a really rewarding species to grow.
The flowers are really fragrant with a smell has been described by visitors as ‘lovely’, ‘horrible’ and ‘weird’ reflecting its rather odd and hard to pin down fragrance. I rather like the scent which is reminiscent of grass and citrus bathroom cleaner – but nicer than that makes it sound.

Interestingly the flowers come out green and over a few days change to a golden yellow.