Which orchids in YOUR collection get a winter rest? - Page 8 - Orchid Board

cb977 · #1 10-13-2008, 04:11 PM

This is a prime example of "Do what works for you"

Some of us withhold all water, others don't...experiment a little

I personally withhold almost all water and all fertilizers...but I do give the whole rack a light misting every two weeks. This is what works for me. Ross withholds ALL water...and that works for him. There are no absolute rules here folks

Try just a big reduction of water, if you don't like what the plant shows you under those conditions, start giving it what it wants.

Our plants tell us what they need and want all the time...we just have to learn how to understand the language

blackorchid · #2 10-13-2008, 04:23 PM

witholding water even though it's still pushing new leaves? What's gonna happen to the youngest cane which isn't fully mature. Is it like resetting the clock of the plant so that it will stop growing at this time of year next year? I'm asking this wondering about those that are suppose to rest and they are not resting.

cloudswinger · #3 10-14-2008, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackorchid

witholding water even though it's still pushing new leaves? What's gonna happen to the youngest cane which isn't fully mature. Is it like resetting the clock of the plant so that it will stop growing at this time of year next year? I'm asking this wondering about those that are suppose to rest and they are not resting.

You need to consider where the advice is coming from, and whether it really applies to your locale. For instance, everyone in S. Florida knows the time to start tomatoes is now, but in Michigan, people are prepping their beds for snow. Plus it's colder up there, and the day is getting shorter up there, and most plants are much more dormant anyway in colder weather. I'm sure Ross's plants are probably not pushing new leaves right now. Plants do what they do based on the climate you're giving them. So if they're still growing, let them grow. You can't really force them to rest without some consequences.

I personally find it easier to just look up the cultural requirements in a decent book(or culture sheets like the ones the Bakers put out) and see where my climate fits or doesn't fit. People on the various forums have too many variables to really take their advice without a salt shaker.

And for the Dens in my list at least, while they have a "dry" season, it's not desert dry, it's mid 70s temp, 80-90% humidity and rain every couple of weeks. So there's still water in the air.

cb977 · #4 10-13-2008, 05:18 PM

Stephen, according to Orchidwiz, jenkinsii should be allowed to dry out completely between waterings but not go dry for long periods of time.

cb977 · #5 10-13-2008, 05:22 PM

I know there are...and always will be...questions regarding this subject. BUT the thought behind this particular thread is to gather a list of what our members actually rest in their collections...not as a debate on whether something should or shouldn't be rested.

Please use this thread to list anything that you personally give a winter rest...any questions and/or debates should take place in a separate thread...there are many threads already in the forums regarding this subject...or you can start your own

Thank you

Ross · #6 10-13-2008, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb977

Please use this thread to list anything that you personally give a winter rest...any questions and/or debates should take place in a separate thread...there are many threads already in the forums regarding this subject...or you can start your own

Thank you

I had thought all along this would be a collection of "how we do it" posts. As such, I think we (so far) are right on the mark. There will always be differences between ways people grow their deciduous (winter rest) orchids, but in the long run the info should be of value. Let's hope people don't get to the point where there is only one way of doing things. There can't be, because the Orchid Board is global. Let's hope contributers don't post thinking their methos is the only way. Sorry, off soap box.

cb977 · #7 10-13-2008, 05:48 PM

The discussions are fine, it's what we're all about...but I was hoping that this thread would be just a listing of what each of us actually do in our own collection and the real discussions about why something "should" or "shouldn't" be could take place in the forums.

blackorchid · #8 10-14-2008, 02:39 PM

So yeah, anosmum is my very first one that actually needs a DRY winter rest.
I also have Den. jenkinsii and it's still growing now. I'm planning on cutting back the water after the new bulb matures. My brassavola nodosa has been "on and off" so I'm not sure if it needs a short rest. and quite frankly, Neofinetia is suppose to rest for winter but it keeps on growing.
Thanks for the respond on anosmum. I will hang them outside with night temperature about 50s until the end of this month when temperature drop furthers and we shall see how it reacts.

cb977 · #9 10-21-2008, 04:04 PM

Hi Jerry...thanks for your input

You are correct in bringing up the many different ways people (and plants) determine a "rest"...if somebody is not sure about what to do but sees the plant in question in one of our lists, I would hope that they ask a question and I'm sure the member who posted the list will explain what they do...in their environment

This list is just meant to be a general listing of what individuals do with their own collections.

Leisurely · #10 10-21-2008, 04:23 PM

Just a thought Susanne. I don't think any plant would be killed if you failed to rest it for one winter season. The worst possible senario might be that you would not get flowers. I know some people who do not rest some of their younger seedling Dendrobiums because they want growth. Den. aggregatum and jenkensii will continue to grow if watered frequently. My friend grows hers with her Cattleyas and they always flower nicely in the spring.