This hybrid dates from 1994 when it was registered by Dr P N Sander of Dorset, UK.

It is not surprising that this is a huge flowered Coelogyne when the size of both parents is considered. There has been a good mix of genes from both. The pollen parent was a variation of Coelogyne mooreana with the tag 'Brockhurst' (from Vietnam, it has bigger flowers than usual). Its beautiful white has carried through, together with a huge contribution to longer more upright spikes.

Coelogyne speciosa has contributed a much greater area  and richness to the lip colouring but importantly, has given the hybrid longer-lasting flowers and spread the opening of different spikes over a period of many weeks. The result is about a 6 to 8 week long remarkable display.

The 'Memoria' or 'Mem' or 'M' in a hybrid plant's title generally means that it has been named in honour of a deceased person, in this case, Louis Forget.

Negatives: Some of Coelogyne speciosa's 'droopy' flower syndrome has carried through but, luckily, not too strongly. Perhaps, the dark colouring on the lip lacks a bit of excitement - i.e. could be a bit boring.

Rating: ♦♦♦♦ This is a fairly big plant and worth collecting where there is a bit of space.

Sometimes sold as:

Varieties: None known

Hybrids:

1. Coelogyne Rachael Banks (David Banks 2015) using Coelogyne mooreana as pollen parent with Coelogyne Mem Louis Edwards.

Remakes:

1: Coelogyne Mem Louis Forget 'Kirribilli' (made using Coelogyne speciosa 'Green' and Coelogyne mooreana 'Brockhurst. It is a bit early to tell yet but this remake may have a more compact flower spike. It has more perfume and has inherited a lighter colour from its more lightly coloured Coelogyne speciosa parent variety.

< Coel Lyme Bay

Coel Mem W Micholitz >