Dendrobium resting still has me confused - Orchid Board

Miyuki · #1 11-07-2008, 02:48 PM

I have three noid dendrobiums that I need advise for. I've included photos to help, I hope. Den#1 I bought about 5 years ago. It was small, but had a dried up bloom spike, so it was blooming size. It has not bloomed since. Last year, I gave it a strict rest period from Halloween to Valentine's day. No bloom, but it grew well over spring and summer. I was getting ready to give it another rest when I spotted it's first spike! Should it still get a rest now or wait till after flowering?

Den#2 I've had for about 4 years. It was bought in bloom and foolishly I did not take a photo. By recollection, the blooms resembled photos I've seen of "antelope type". Like Den#1, it had a rest period last year, and it is growing well, but still no blooms. Do I try another rest?

Den#3 I bought 18 months ago, in bloom, and it has just stopped blooming for the first time. Just before each spike would finish, a new one would emerge. It has never had a rest and I planned to do so now, but a new cane has started to grow! Is it best to keep up the same routine year-round for this one?

All of them are growing with western exposure, indoors, with some filtering from trees growing outside. My Catts are growing and blooming successfully in the same light.
Any advise would be appreciated.

Miyuki · #2 11-07-2008, 02:50 PM

Oops... Just notice I have the photos mixed up. The first is Den#1, the second is Den#3 and the third is Den#2. Sorry!

Becky15349 · #3 11-07-2008, 02:55 PM

For dend #1, I would recommend continuing to water it in order to support the blooms. If it was not spiking, I would not water it, but I think the blooms will need water and humidity to stay well.

For dend #2, it may spike yet, this is the season for it to do it. I would initiate a rest period now, but don't be surprised if you see a spike sometime in the near future. If you do see a spike come on, I would suggest watering it to support the blooms, just like dend #1.

For Dend #3, it sounds like you have a really happy and healthy plant that is blooming continuously, and most people would be thrilled if their dends did this! (I know I would!!) Since blooming is the ultimate objective of your orchid growing, and you've achieved it fabulously, I would say to continue with your culture with this particular plant and enjoy the blooms

Again, these are just some suggestions, I'm sure others will pipe in with theirs

Good luck!
~Becky

cloudswinger · #4 11-08-2008, 08:32 AM

Not all dens need a rest. Some are from areas that are wet year round. You probably have some which have this heritage.

Sandy4453 · #5 11-08-2008, 09:50 AM

I could be wrong but by the looks of these pics and your description (ie., 'antelope') I don't think these Dends should get a winter rest, like you would give if they were Nobiles or any deciduous type Dends. If the ones that have bloomed were on inflorescence that budded and not directly budded on the canes, then I'm pretty sure you need to begin watering regularly. Of course, you should cut back on watering in winter but how much, depends on the light they're receiving, medium they're in, etc. If these are growing near a window, make sure they're receiving high, indirect light and kept out of any drafts or heating vents.

Miyuki · #6 11-08-2008, 07:52 PM

Their rest period last year was kind of a last resort as I haven't been able to get anything else to work. And maybe it did since Den#1 is definitely spiking and I just noticed the possiblity that another cane may have a spike as well! My instincts agree that the blooms and new growth need to have water, so I'll keep it up for now. As for Den#2, I'll try a drier winter and see what spring brings.

Leisurely · #7 11-08-2008, 09:38 PM

I would like to second Sandy.

A lot of the evergreen or phalaenopsis type typically bloom
at this time of year.

I use to grow cacti and what I read about cacti then I would apply to your plants now. If your plants seem to want to rest, encourage it. If they seem to want to grow, encourage that also. With-holding water from a plant that is actively growing would just harm it. And the converse situation would be that continuously watering a plant that is dormant would rot all of the roots.

frostedeyes · #8 11-09-2008, 02:16 AM

for me? i dont know what kind of rest do they need! gee! anyway i would always water my plants every morning and just be sure ull have it dry by night. i always do that and it just keeps on blooming and making small growth. kind of like a cycle. anyway i would suggest to tie your dendrobium properly so it will grow uniformly. i had a dendrobium that i didnt do anything i just let him grow.. it was a mess what i did! try to tie them neatly... it will grow nicely and save more space.