Talk me through Den. Nobile, please

[Roberta]

The answer as to what advice to give the OP depends on that person's conditions. We're waiting for the answer as to where they live, that will be very important as to how to handle this. If the December lows are expected to be around 55 deg F, I'm guessing maybe Florida.(California is more like low to mid 40's F in December) The advice would be, leave the plant(s) outside and don't treat them much differently than everything else, nature will take care of the temperature drop. That would not be the same advice as for a person growing under lights in Minnesota. But temperature variation is going to be a big success factor no matter where they are. The "how to accomplish" will be different, but it needs to happen.

Fertilizing should, in general, be governed by plant growth. If it's growing it needs some fertilizer, if it's not growing much, it needs less or none. It never needs much unless it's one of the really rapidly-growing ones such as Catasetinae or Cymbidiums in spring. (Fertilizer gets a lot of attention because it is the easiest factor to control. However, it's the least important cultural factor)

[mykl]

I am in Zone 9B, Central Florida, and from the advice I've been given here, they will go back out side for the foreseeable future. But also from what you have said, they are going to the south side of the house where they will be able to warm up quicker in the mornings. Our normal weather pattern here in winter is quite dry and we only get rain ahead of our cold fronts. That seems to fit those dendrobiums life style quite well; relatively dry while resting.
While my vandas are sitting inside wearing scarves and drinking hot cocoa, these plants will be out in the good fresh air!

Thanks again.

[jiblylegs]

Originally Posted by Roberta

TThat would not be the same advice as for a person growing under lights in Minnesota. But temperature variation is going to be a big success factor no matter where they are.

Fertilizing should, in general, be governed by plant growth. If it's growing it needs some fertilizer, if it's not growing much, it needs less or none.factor)

I wanted to add that I live in Chicago, and earlier this year I got a Denodrobium Love Memory "Fizz". I brought it inside before the temps got below fifty, and have been growing it under lights with the bulk of my other orchids. It currently gets 10hr of light a day, and at night my house cools down to 64 degrees fahrenheit.

This is my first season with a nobile type, but it appears to be both spiking without an extended cool-down and growing new canes. Later this winter I'm sure my house will be cooling further down to 60.

Would you reccomend to continue watering/fertilizing or withhold for the rest of the dormancy season? It seems to be actively growing despite the short daylength and my slightly reduced watering.

[Roberta]

If it is actively growing, keep on watering it. I think I'd hold back on the fertilizer. Many of the "nobile type" hybrids have other species in their background that may behave differently than the pure nobile. Let the plant tell you what it wants. And I think yours wants to keep on growing.