Terminal leaf - Orchid Board

Helen · #1 05-06-2007, 05:12 PM

What is a terminal leaf exactly? I am assuming it is the last leaf on the top of let's say, a dendrobium cane? but how does one tell exactly? Or asked another way, how do you tell it's the end of the growth?

justatypn · #2 05-07-2007, 01:10 AM

A terminal leaf is when the cane has reached it's maximum height/maturity; you will know this by a little knob that is produced at the top of the cane when it is finished growing. Usually a sign after growth season going into rest, cut back watering to about every 2-3 weeks.

Djarum Black · #3 05-07-2007, 01:50 AM

Good info Cheryl!

I learn something new here everyday!

Lindafvb · #4 05-07-2007, 11:30 AM

Hi there,
I am going to jump in with another question since terminal leaf is the subject. How long do you continue this "no watering" regime when you have no flower buds. When do you say "Ok, water and fertilize now because there is always next year for flowers". Do you give it 3 months since you viewed the terminal leaf? Is it dependent on the orchid?
I am sure we all have one problem chid. Mine is Dendo N. "Yellow Song Canary". That terminal leaf is present on 2 canes since October! I have given up on flowers this time but I wonder how to judge watering next time. I gave it 5 months, now I water and fertilize normally.

Helen · #5 05-07-2007, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindafvb

Hi there,
I am going to jump in with another question since terminal leaf is the subject. How long do you continue this "no watering" regime when you have no flower buds. When do you say "Ok, water and fertilize now because there is always next year for flowers". Do you give it 3 months since you viewed the terminal leaf? Is it dependent on the orchid?
I am sure we all have one problem chid. Mine is Dendo N. "Yellow Song Canary". That terminal leaf is present on 2 canes since October! I have given up on flowers this time but I wonder how to judge watering next time. I gave it 5 months, now I water and fertilize normally.

Linda! Excellent question...I was just about to ask the same thing! thanks! Waiting for some replies now..

justatypn · #6 05-07-2007, 02:28 PM

There is no "exact time" as to when to start/stop watering for rest period...due to orchid enviroment. As for Nobile types, NO fertilizer after Sept. and NO water after Nov. until they start to show some sort of blooming goin' on. I at that time slowly introduce water and fertilizer back into the watering regimen for the growing season.

Lindafvb · #7 11-02-2007, 12:03 PM

Just me again. It is now November. So I am now going to stop watering? My plants are grown in S/H. I have not fertilized my dendo 'Yellow Song Canary' since October 1. Plant looks healthy and terminal leaf is in place. 3 big fat new canes grew this season.
I did this same regime last year and no flowers. Thought I was doing something wrong. I remember the canes got very skinny by Feb. I am thinking maybe I should keep some water in the reserve. Any thoughts?

And light....should it now get more hours of light? It is grown in a windowsill but I can move it under lights with my catts.
This is why I only own one of these plants. Hard one to figure out. Would love to add more some day.

Lagoon · #8 11-02-2007, 12:19 PM

I don't meen to be difficult, But I don't believe holding water back to 0% for "all" nobile type dends will have the same value for some that perhaps others will need.

I still mist once per week and water every couple of weeks IF it wants it. IF the media dries out. I try to keep mine a bit on the coolish side mid 60's. The cooler you can keep an orchids, then less water it needs anyway, same goes for the lighting.

Most of my dens are warm growers. I've only got 1 nobile, this time of the year its starting new growth. So I still water but not fertlizer. I believe if the water is held back from new growth -- It will stunt and become weak, atlease this has been what I've seen on mine.
My nobile is a spring bloomer, however it did NOT bloom during the spring - it bloomed in sept, when the heats were still very high and the water was in full supply.

Dens are a very tricky bunch

Just my nickle!

cb977 · #9 11-02-2007, 12:33 PM

Monday was the last feeding for a bunch of my Dens.

Out of 30 that need a slight rest, 12 of them are going to get a hard rest for winter. They will get no water or fertilizer until around the end of February or beginning of March. If the canes start looking shrivelled, they'll get a little water but otherwise, they're sleeping.

The remainder of the group will only get a slight misting once every two to three weeks for the same time period as the others.

Light will remain high.

The 'chids will let you know if they are totally unhappy with this arrangement. If you see canes starting to shrivel, give them a drink.

It's V-E-R-Y hard to just ignore the 'chids (and some people don't rest the chids that usually want it and they still do fine) but the adjusting is more for us than for them

quiltergal · #10 11-02-2007, 01:58 PM

Just to complicate matters, not all dens need a winter rest. Phal types at most would get a reduction in feeding but not watering. I wasn't able to find your grex name in the RHS registry, so can't tell what the parentage is. Is it a phal type, a nobile type? That will help us help you figure out if it needs a rest or not.