Which orchids in YOUR collection get a winter rest?

[RoseSD]

I have a Dendrobium antennatum and a Dendrobium linawianum. Both are seedlings. Should they be watered less? How much less?

[Roberta]

D. antennatum is a tropical species. Warm, no rest. D. linawianum is from China and Taiwan, around 1000 m. That one can take cold, and reduced water. However, being a seedling perhaps both in moderation. How is the D. linawianum potted? Or is it mounted? Andy doesn't dry anything out... all are in the same area based on temperature. But mounted plants dry fast. I'd cut out any fertilizer. If it has been indoors so that it hasn't been acclimating, maybe put it near a window where it can be cooler but likely best to not put it out now. If it has been outside, it would be fine if on the dry side. Next year, outside for that one.

[RoseSD]

Both are in pots. My D. linawianum is smaller, packed in loose moss. D. antennatum is larger from a different supplier but packed in barks and dries pretty fast. They sit together in a sunny spot by the window but it is a pain to water antennatum more often!

[Roberta]

Well, they have different needs... Once you see new growth, you might want to repot the D. antennatum in smaller bark. But over time, they're going to get different treatment anyway. You will need to continue to grow the Den. antennatum indoors, particularly when night temperatures get below 60 deg F/15 deg C or so... it's a warm grower. Phalaenopsis temperatures but a lot more light. In the spring, you'll want to move the Den. linawianum outside, and long-term, grow it there. It will get the cool winters that it wants. Again, when you see new growth you'll probably want to repot, into bark. Then, if it dries fast that will make winter maintenance even easier since you'll be able to water with the the rest of your outdoor orchids without worrying about overwatering. For this winter, just baby them a bit. Over time, Den linawianum will be the easier one... it'll grow outside all year around where you live, not need a lot of TLC. Getting enough light for Den. antennatum indoors, especially in winter, is likely to be the bigger challenge. (If not enough, it'll grow but be more reluctant to bloom)

[RoseSD]

Here they are getting additional desk light lol. I use wet paper towel instead of moss to top the bark wet. Hope it is not a problem?

[Roberta]

Shouldn't be a problem. Is the big one the antennatum? Looks like a good healthy plant. Actually both look excellent.

[RoseSD]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Shouldn't be a problem. Is the big one the antennatum? Looks like a good healthy plant. Actually both look excellent.

Yes!

[Roberta]

Well, Den. antennatum is the larger plant when mature (they can get rather large). So Den. linawianum is actually a bit larger than a "seedling" ... looks very healthy.

[FranningtonBear]

Hi there!

Complete newbie to the board and fairly new Orchid grower as well.

I am a windowsill grower with a small orchid collection and no fancy set-up however it seems to *mostly* work for me!! I rest my orchids by moving them to a cooler location in my home, reducing water and withholding fertiliser. Does this sound sufficient please?

As far as I am aware I DO NOT need to rest the following-
Phalenopsis (many since these are the most available in the UK)
Dendrobium Phalenopsis

I DO NEED to rest -
Dendrobium Nobile
Oncidium Twinkle Mona
Another, unidentified Oncidium

But, please, what about -
Cattleya Yellow Bird?
Dendrobium Harvey Annum?
Burrgerrea Nelly Isla?

Thanks in advance!

[Roberta]

First, welcome!

I think, of that list, the only things that need a winter rest are Den nobile And Den. harveyanum (note spelling, it's a species). Oncidiums and their relatives should never dry out. Cattleyas don't need or want it either.

For the two Dendrobiums, along with greatly reduced water, a chill is helpful. So if you have a spot right next to the window, they would benefit. Since the house will be quite dry with winter heat reducing humidity, you will need to give a little bit of water occasionally to those Dendrobiums. (In nature they get little or no rain in winter but do get dew and humidity, so don't be TOO severe)