dendrobium aggregatum growing root in the middle of Winter

[PuiPuiMolcar]

I'm trying to dry this little dummy for winter but it seems like it just want to grow root instead. I thought it was suppose to be in its deciduous phase now. I wonder if it's because it's too humid in the growing tent. Should I still water it as usual?

[dbarron]

Please note this is just my opinion and others may differ (and be correct).
In my experience, it's never been a good idea to force a plant into dormancy (generalized experience in horticulture).

[PuiPuiMolcar]

my apology for not understanding your message clearly, but may you clarify forcing in this context? I assume you mean that I should continue on watering it normally as every other day regardless of the season and temperature changes.
Does orchid like Catasetum not need a dormancy?
Maybe my wording is wrong here, I read that dendrobium aggregatum is semi deciduous in winter and get less water for the dry rest so I tried to imitate that gradually to nature... not trying to "force" it to death.

[dbarron]

Your approach would make sense. However, the plants typically don't read the books. React to what the plant does, if it is sending out new growth, then continue with enough moisture to support the new growth.

[PuiPuiMolcar]

that is true, thank you very much. This will be a learning experience after all.

[Roberta]

Den aggregatum (" aggravatum" ) - now lindleyi - Isn't deciduous. But does tend to want to dry out in winter. This is supposedly what it needs to bloom. I have tried "dry" and I have let it get wet, and flowers still occur only sometimes. Don't worry about it. It will like that humidity, if it is rooting, it's doing what it wants to do. It may be staying a bit too warm in that grow tent - it does like a winter chill. At any rate, the plant will be fine. Whether it blooms or not, you'll find out.

[PuiPuiMolcar]

thank you Roberta, it did get some chill outside in the 45s for a couple days until I realize it is too dangerous for it and brought it in. But both of you are right, I'll keep paying attention to it.

[Roberta]

45 degrees F dangerous for Den. aggregatum?? Definitely not. This is a species that can tolerate cold down to almost freezing. If it got a chill, then got warm, it maybe got confused and thinks it is spring.

I can't say for certain about Den aggregatum - my record getting these to bloom is not great. But for many other Dendrobiums with a reputation for needing a dry period to bloom, I have found that they bloom just fine getting water during the winter - but they get cold.

Since I have been using the "dry" approach for these and not having great success (they grow but don't reliably bloom), this year they're just staying out in the rain. I put them where the sprinklers don't hit them so if it ever stops raining they'll be drier than the rest of the orchids, but I'm not particularly drying them out. I'll see if maybe I get better results. But I am certainly not concerned about cold.

[dbarron]

Yeah, 'dry' is relative and too dry can cause root death. It's a delicate balancing act and some years in nature, it's wetter than others.
I suspect that a wet winter in habitat seldom if ever prevents flowering.