Cynodes wine delight dormancy

[Rhonda Svoboda]

Hi,
This is my first growing cycle with this orchid. It didn't bloom in the spring/summer because it was too young. ?It was outside in sun all summer. Now it just looks 'rough'. the leaves are kind of dying back. Am I to assume its entering its dormancy?
If so, do I completely stop watering? I have it under my grow lights as well. Should I move it to a darker, colder spot?
Thanks

[ebrookmi]

Yes, all the leaves should fall off (they will yellow first). Here is what I suggest as I grow the same plant:

You should stop watering when most of the leaves are yellow and start falling off - don't give the plant any water. When it starts coming out of dormancy you will notice a new growth and roots - do NOT water yet. At this point, cut most of the old roots off (leave around 1/2 inch for stability) and repot the orchid in moss or layered bark mix (something that will retain water as catasetum are heavy feeders and drinkers). When the growth or new roots reach about 4 to 5 inches, then you may start normal watering and fertilizer, if you water too soon the new growth will rot.

As for lights, you can leave it where it until you see the growth, or you may set it aside for a while. I tend to keep mine in the same place so it's easier for me to notice new growth.

[Leafmite]

Mine is going into dormancy, too, so it isn't going to be getting water. It will just sit there, under the lights until it starts new growth.

The plant was said to be a young, not-blooming size orchid so I wasn't expecting flowers but the new growth was larger than last year's so maybe next year I will have more luck.

[My Green Pets]

I have a Wine Delight as well and it just lost its first lower leaf today. The others are still green.

I reduced water about a month ago but still keep the medium moist (mine is in sphagnum). I'll keep watering just enough to keep it from going completely dry until most of the leaves have dropped off. For me this plant will start a new growth as early as January or February. By then the medium is bone dry and will be kept that way until the roots have hit the bottom of the pot and are starting to wrap around.
Good luck, hope you get blooms next year as they are gorgeous and so lovely fragrant.