Do I follow the vendor's instructions?

[Mothra79]

When I recently asked a vendor about an orchid that came from the nursery, she sent me a care sheet along with her reply. The care sheet instructed I water my new dendrobium three times a week. That seems a bit excessive to me. Do I follow her instructions or go with my usual routine of once a week. I should add this is a rescue dend. that came to me pretty dried up.

[cabnc]

Most instructions for dens say to water freely from the top while the plant is growing in the spring and summer. Reduce watering in the fall and winter and allow the plant to rest.

[Ray]

That makes me think the vendor is naive.

If your growing conditions are such that the medium dries out very rapidly, then sure, but if not, it may be overkill.

The distribution of standardized instructions for plant culture does not take into account the fact that growing environments differ so greatly.

[cb977]

I agree with Ray

Watering schedules depend solely on each person's individual environment. I would stick to the schedule your other chids are on if they're doing well.

[littlefrog]

I usually tell customers that following a rigid watering schedule is the absolute best way to kill their plant.

We _grow_ orchids, not watch them. That means that you, the grower, need to put some effort in. That effort can be as simple as sticking your finger into the mix a couple times a week to see if you need to water.