What happens when an orchid doesn't get its winter rest?

[Ross]

Originally Posted by cowboy51278

I have a Den primulinum that gave me fits last fall. I cut the water off and backed off on the light to mimick a seasonal change and the only thing that happened is that the three oldest growths on the plant yellowed and died. So I went back to limited watering with no fertilizer and it held its leaves through the winter. About a month ago I started back with more light and slowly increased the fertilizer. Im getting some nice new growth and the leaves on last years growth are now starting to yellow and fall off. No blooms though. I had a friend suggest (think Ive posted this previously) that some of the Dens need a warm kick start in the spring with a sudden increase of light and then could use a good hearty cold snap in the fall otherwise they'll hold the leaves. She said she lets hers get snapped by a light frost and then for two weeks after slowly backs off on the water and fert as well as a decrease in its photo period. So Im going to try it this fall. Anyone else ever let their dens get (or any deciduous orchids for that matter) get nipped by a light frost to induce dormancy?

Couple things I know about this guy. It likes cool nights year around. It would definitely benefit from a "with-hold water" regimen for a short time (a couple months) during winter in your area. I would spray the roots and plant lightly every week or so, but no water. Is yours mounted or potted? That makes a diff. From what I can tell on this puppy, mounting is maybe the way to go so you can carefully controll moisture. It is definetely not a Phalenopsis type Dendro. But it's also not a type II "really hold back the moisture" Dendro either. Cool nights, and kinda cheapo on the moisture during winter should do the trick from what I can determine. If you get blossoms, please post pics. It looks like a stunner!

[cowboy51278]

it was in a plastic pot with a fine media when I bought it. After having trouble with moisture I moved it to a small clay pot with larger media. I do this with a lot of plants that like to dry out. Ive had better luck with the clay than a mount for some reason. I got a little brave with him too the last couple weeks. I moved him to a bright south window and on really nice days he's been sitting out on the south porch with the vandas in direct sun. As soon as I did that he went from a little nubbin of new growth to almost 2" of new growth very quickly. When I bought it I was told it was "any light" and just forget about it. Im finding he looks better with the Cat's than with the Onc's. Def the most high maintence plant in my collection. I have a hard time getting the Den's. They usually end up as compost.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by cowboy51278

I have a hard time getting the Den's. They usually end up as compost.

Me 2. You have (I think) a good choice, though. I can kill just about any dendro around and, until Tony quit frequenting the board, I was the second most likely person to kill a Dendro. But deciduous or semi-deciduous dendros seem easy for me right now. Go figure! Den's are best grouped into a bunch of categories and I think where most folks have problems is the non-deciduous Den's. I can't tell you why that is except that the ones that want to go dormant may be tuffer. If you want to ask questions, just ask away. I may not have the answers, but I'll be really quick to tell you I don't. I think I have these deciduous ones down, now. So stay with those. They're actually easy (for a previous Dendro killer).

[cowboy51278]

thanks for your help Ross. I recently picked up a Den unicum as well so hopefully he'll do well for me. The only one that really seems to like me and I dont upset is my aggregatum. I get flowers, new growth, roots. He can't be stopped

[(..._...)]

Originally Posted by Ross

Sounds puuurrrphect to me! Mine hang in south window with all the light the Mother Nature chances to dish out (up our way that ain't much ) and it does just fine. The nobile Dendros really like high light, which, for 45 degrees latitude and north, means FULL sun! 50s and 60s is great. They actually can take down to the mid 40s without damage while dormant. I suspect the combo of cold/dry winters and warming springs brings them into full bloom. At least for me. I noticed this year that mine started the new growths all reddish color but turned back to green as they got used to the shot of light they covet. I'd say you have the perfect setup and I really recommend a Dendrobium anosmum as a first try. Can't go wrong. Check these posts - Dend anosmum and Dendrobium anosmum In the second link you can see my window setup. That's a south-facing window with added 55 watt CF bulbs directly in front of the plants.

Thanks for the help!!! I will def. try this den! Yours is super nice btw

[ilurk]

Well thanks folks, seems like it's too late for that winter rest. Though the den's got some beads of sap oozing out, I take that as an indication they're doing all right. Guess i'll have to wait 'til fall for that dormancy!
Any word on dormancy for Cats and Amsiella? I'm fairly new, only had oncidiums and started brassavola/den last year. Brassavola is also oozing sap, and the leaves have turned maroon, i suppose they're fine as well. Will try Cat. Amethstoglossa, Amsiella, and Encyclia this year.