Which orchids in YOUR collection get a winter rest?

[Sandy4453]

Anyone know?

Originally Posted by Sandy4453

Dendrobium loddigesii. Do these get rest? Complete or cut back?

I did a quick scan here and couldn't find any info. so please don't shoot me if it's here and I overlooked it. Thank You.

[Florida_guy_26]

Dendorbium loddigessii will bloom with a partial rest or complete rest. They can handle similar conditions to den moniliforme or a complete rest. Den moniliforme, (I forgot to mention my den moniliforme) hercoglossum and goldschmidtianum can stand either a partial rest or very short rest and will bloom either way as far as I know. Dendrobium loddigessii can stand a complete rest with nobiles as well as a partial rest with slightly drier and cooler conditions. The key is getting them drier than normal without drying them to the cane shriveling point. You should try cooling down to 50F which should be enough of a temperature drop to induce blooming.

[Sandy4453]

Thanks for your response, Florida guy. So basically, the same culture as nobiles or, not as drastic, do you know? What's the advantage here to withholding water if they bloom with or without it?

Thank you again.

[Sandy4453]

Camille, did you ever find out about this one? I'm thinking of getting one and would be interested to know too.

....and also, the culture for Dendorbium loddigessii?

Originally Posted by camille1585

What about Lycaste aromatica? It hasn't been mentioned in this thread yet. I know that it needs less water (what's 'less'?) once the leaves fall off until the spikes appear, but does it need a proper winter rest, with cool temps and almost no water? And I don't know if I have to reduce water after the leaves fall, or if I need to reduce it before to make them fall.

[Florida_guy_26]

Basically They can stand a more dry rest like nobiles, or a more slight rest like hercoglossum and goldschmidtianum. They seem to bloom regardless of how much water they get or how much you withhold while resting them. The only thing that watering more does achieve is less cane shriveling and them being used to getting more water during that time of year. If you decide to rest it, a more complete rest might also encourage more blooming so keep that in mind. Honestly in my opinion, the best dendrobium species is cucullatum (formerly aphyllum/pierardii). Mine have not had a winter rest yet and are starting to bloom even with abnormally frequent watering during summer. They seem to bloom no matter what conditions they get even without a winter rest but will bloom better if they get a dry cool rest. I also think giving most orchids a cool dry rest or cooler and drier than spring/summer weather will allow them to store more energy for more vigorous growth in the growing season.

[Rosebud]

Hello! does anyone know of a good place to find out if and when my orchids will take a rest and when they will bloom? Are all orchids differant? I have eight total. One is unknown, three are phals, one dendrobium, one paph, one labeled catts asrt, and a miltonia clowesii. I would love to make a list for you but I dont know which ones rest! If anyone knows of a place to find good and complete info please let me know! Thanks so much

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Rosebud

Hello! does anyone know of a good place to find out if and when my orchids will take a rest and when they will bloom? Are all orchids differant? I have eight total. One is unknown, three are phals, one dendrobium, one paph, one labeled catts asrt, and a miltonia clowesii. I would love to make a list for you but I dont know which ones rest! If anyone knows of a place to find good and complete info please let me know! Thanks so much

Excluding the unknown orchid, the only one that might need a rest is the Dendrobium. None of the others need a rest, just keep up normal culture. Now for the Den, I say 'might' because it depends on the type of Dendrobium! I'm assuming you have a standard hybrid one can find anywhere, and some some species. If it's a Phal type Den then it does not need a rest. If it's a nobile type (the ones with the blooms coming out the side of the canes) then it needs a cool somewhat dry winter, with limited fertilizer.

As for the unknown one, do you have any idea what genus it is? Or have a photo? Chances are it doesn't need a rest. Most of the mass produced orchids sold in big box stores and the likes don't need specific care during the winter (except the Dens I mentioned) It's when you start to get into the species orchids, especially the Dendrobium alliance, that winter rest is more often necessary to consider.

[Rosebud]

Camille, thanks so much for the info. I will be posting a pic of the "unknown" orchid soon to try and identify it.
Thanks again!

[kiki-do]

You know, there should be a specific book listing all the orchids that need a rest. I don't have a clear understanding yet, in that regard. If there was such a book on the market, I would buy it in a heartbeat. Then I could not only know what's what with what I have, but know before I purchase more. To me, this is one of the most confusing aspects of growing orchids during the winter.
Some of the Dend that I thought needed a rest, just started producing buds!!!! Just when I thought I had it all figured out!

[Rosebud]

I agree about the book. I would grab at one as quick as I could.....if there were one. I am starting to think orchids are like children, in that they are too complicated to come with a handbook! I'll do some research and post anything good I find.