Winter requirements of several species?? - Orchid Board

OrchidNewB · #1 11-08-2008, 12:02 PM

It has come to my attention that I may have crippled my plants' blooming efforts last year by continuing to water and fertilize everyone with a summer regimen all through the winter. I have been searching like crazy, but am still confused on a few plants. Any advice is appreciated.

1. Maxillaria Tenuifolia - Are pseudobulbs on these supposed to be kept plump all through winter? If not, how do you decide what is an "acceptable amount of shriveling"? I read that I should decrease fertilizer, but keep up watering... yes?

2. Potinara Little Toshie (Blc Toshi Aoki x Sc. Beaufort) - this is just beautiful. Just finished blooming. Has a new growth a few inches tall, but doesn't appear to be actively growing. Is this a sign that I should give it a few months rest? If so, would that mean just weekly misting or what exactly?

3. Dens - I have maybe 5? Leaf growth on these this past year was outrageous, but alas... no blooms. I didn't rest them at all. Someone said hybrids don't need rest. Is this correct? How do you know if they are hybrids? Many were NOID gifts or ones my daughters chose at Publix or Lowes, or the local "orchid lady". Does rest for dens mean allowing the pseudobulb canes to dry out and shrivel? How far do you take this rest?

I appreciate any help you all can give. I have finally progressed beyond orchid serial killer to being able to keep them alive pretty reliably. Now it would be nice to see those beautiful blooms again!

Ray · #2 11-08-2008, 12:23 PM

The max and the catt do not need a rest. As for the dens, it depends upon the species in their background.

Most likely they are "hard cane" types that bloom upon the maturation of new growths, but if they have bloomed from the sides of the canes, rather than from the top, they may need to go most of the winter without food or water until new growth is evident.

However, it is my understanding that many dens can appreciate a reduction in nitrogen over the winter, and in the case of those needing a rest, unless your humidity is reasonable, you might want to try a light watering (plain water only) every few weeks to keep the canes plump.

OrchidNewB · #3 11-08-2008, 12:51 PM

Looks like 2 of my dens were top-bloomers and 2 were side-bloomers. So the side-bloomers need rest and top-bloomers do not... correct?

Is it likely the continued fertlizing that drove them into all leafy growth? Or the fact that I didn't let them stay outside and get cold enough?

Ray · #4 11-08-2008, 06:36 PM

It's nitrogen, not warmth.

Shirley · #5 11-08-2008, 10:47 PM

Thanks, Ray, for simplifying this! Resting Dendrobiums has always confused me but differentiating between side bloomers and top bloomers makes it so simple!

jehane · #6 11-12-2008, 03:27 AM

What about a Vanda? Also, we have a ferociously growing epi (sp) hybrid that we are *hoping* will bloom this fall ......what should we do about it?

PS - whats a good only nitrate source ?

Thanks all!

maitaman · #7 11-12-2008, 09:41 AM

Vandas depend more on light than fertilizers, etc.
Epi. species from altitude are very different than those from lower. Need to know which one(s).
Fertilizers with a high first number have higher nitrogen (10-30-20 is low nitrogen, high phosphorus. 20-20-20 is balanced. 30-10-20 is high nitrogen)

D&S Mabel · #8 11-12-2008, 06:40 PM

You can usually reduce your over all watering in the winter for most all plants including cats and vandas as they do not dry out as quickly now.

The AOS site has a Monthly Checklist (member access only, I think) that works well as basic guidelines as to what to look out for and how to generally care for various types of orchids.

*** I stand corrected on the access - see below and thanks Culllen!

bonsai1504 · #9 11-12-2008, 06:46 PM

Here is a link to the monthly checklist. It is not members only!
AOS | Monthly Checklist

Becky15349 · #10 11-12-2008, 07:00 PM

This checklist was excellent, thank you for sharing! I don't know how I missed that on their website...