I had not had this Coelogyne very long before it really impressed by flowering on a very small plant. The markings on the flower lip were very pretty. This little species is from the Philippines ( from 900 to 1000 metres) and is not easy to obtain. I have seen images on the web that make me really want to grow it into a specimen. In these images there is a mass of spikes projecting out almost horizontally, as above. I can't wait! My glasshouse conditions are a long way short of its Philippine home but it is doing well so far.

At the 2013 Canberra and Regional Orchid Show, the above plant was awarded 1st in the Coelogyne Section against competition that dwarfed it in size.

What I find amazing is that this Coelogyne was named way back in 1883 (by Professor Heinrich Reichenback). Where has it been hiding all that time?

Negatives: The flowers don't quite open fully and have a slight tendency to droop downwards.

Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦  It is such a pretty flower that it could easily be squeezed into any crowded glasshouse. I expect this Coelogyne to become very popular as it becomes more available. It is certainly one that should be mericloned.

Sometimes sold as:  The name 'sparsa' refers to the wide separation of the flowers on the spike. In the image above, of its growth habit, this is clearly not the case. I have seen images on the web where they are much more spaced but still not 'sparse'!.

Varieties: None known

Hybrids: None registered

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