Which orchids in YOUR collection get a winter rest?

[Orchideetje]

Unfortunately I'm not sure which kind it is yet. I don't think it's a phalaenopsis type. At the moment, the plants are not in bloom, so it's difficult to tell...

[Vanda lover]

I have the same problem with one of mine. A friend bought it at an orchid show because it was less expensive then the others. It was not only in lousy shape, but she neglected to ask what kind it is or how to care for it. I told her that I am pretty sure it needs a rest and she has no place to give it one. It's mine now, but I am still not positive it is a nobile. It looks different then the one I have. I don't expect bloom this year from it.

[Otterinaround]

I'm having a horrible time figuring out the watering/ wintering requirements of my gaggle of orchids. The species vary greatly which has never been an issue. Moving them inside before a low in the 30's seems to have done some mincing...

All of my mounted orchids where growing like wildfire.. ROOTS everywhere.. to the point of being annoying.

Now INDOORS with the new air-handler and a shift over from AC to heating.... the humidity at home has plummeted. I keep them all localized so that the micro-climate has a degree of humidity but the worrying part is how these roots look.

The fleshy green jade and wonderful-ness has SIGNIFICANTLY slowed if not stopped. I find I am in a panic constantly checking back to see if I should spritz them with a mist of water. Worried about wrinkles on leaves and in psuedo bulbs that I have JUST dragged back from the prune looking abyss.

Moisture trays abound but with the light intermittent at best and skies overcast to the point of dusk all day at it's worst!
I'm thinking Global warming is going to be the death of my nerves.(yes I refuse florescent bulbs! Burning fossil fuels that screw up orchids and habitat to make sun that comes naturally is inherently wrong)

Anyone have any experience in shifting humidity and temperatures due to new fangled household climate control?

Anyone have a suggested heating schedule that may help with this? I can dial it in to the degree for the time periods across the day. I wonder should I stress about heats relation to solar footprint or is this overdoing it?

Should we also account for heating and the offset of solar energy when wintering our chids in our homes? Can there be some magic formula for this? Does anyone know it?

[StephanJoe]

Dendrobium anosmum
Barkeria spectabilis are orchids which need a winter rest from my orchid collection.

[jdw]

Interesting lists, but I take a different approach. If the plant is from a monsoonal area, then it will have evolved with the wet hot summers and dry bright winters. Lots of stuff from SE Asia / Hymilayas, etc. do this. Also Cymbidium canaliculatum and it's hybrids definately need a winter rest.

Cheers

[Reenie]

I have a Dendrobium Super Ise 'White Center' x Dendrobium Ise 'Colorful' that should bloom mid-winter. Here's the link from Carter and Holmes detailing the care needed. So I guess this one doesn't need a rest?

Dendrobium Nobile Hybrids Orchid Care - Carter and Holmes Orchids Culture

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by Reenie

I have a Dendrobium Super Ise 'White Center' x Dendrobium Ise 'Colorful' that should bloom mid-winter. Here's the link from Carter and Holmes detailing the care needed. So I guess this one doesn't need a rest?

Dendrobium Nobile Hybrids Orchid Care - Carter and Holmes Orchids Culture

Mine got confused this year and it bloomed in July. I have a hard time with this one. Keeping it cool and bright during the winter and letting it dry between watering seems to be what works best, but I don't get regular, full blooming.

[Reenie]

Originally Posted by Vanda lover

Mine got confused this year and it bloomed in July. I have a hard time with this one. Keeping it cool and bright during the winter and letting it dry between watering seems to be what works best, but I don't get regular, full blooming.

LOL. Thank you for sharing your experience with this orchid. I can't wait to see it bloom

[Orchid Whisperer]

My Coelogyne cristata will get a rest, it will probably stay outdoors longer than my others to get a cool-down (maybe initiate spikes??) Also cut back the fertilizer & keep a bit drier, too, meaning I will let nature do the watering unless it is close to dry.

[denvervet]

I have a question, I have the den aggeratum and I live in a very arid, dry area of the US, Denver. Do you think I should water mine a bit during the rest? Is a cool window helpful? How much sun?