Den Keiki... usually needs a winter rest but not sure as it's not established

[RosieC]

I have a keiki of Den Stardust which I only recently removed from it's mother and potted. up. It's not really established and is looking somewhat dehydrated.

Stardust is a hybrid of unicum and Ukon, Ukon being 25% nobile, so from it's parantage I believe this hybid needs a winter rest.

I'm going to be giving the well established parent a winter rest, but I'm thinking that the keiki should NOT be given that rest to try and let it get more established, then next year I'll give it the rest it needs.

What do you think... would that be the wrong thing to do

[Lagoon]

Right Rosie I think you're spot on about the no winter rest. We must keep the children growing

Next year it may or may not need the rest, depends on the size and how well its grown - 3 canes before the resting period sounds about right to me.
Just decide next year when you get there. Good luck with the little one

[RosieC]

Thanks Gloria, good to know my instinct was right.

I'll remember what you say about 3 canes as a rough guide and see what it's like next year.

The parent is staying in my greenhouse for now which is naturally cooling off at the momment and I've cut fertiliser as someone said on another thread that I should have done that in August. I'm not sure if I should cut the water level yet or not and infact watered it this morning as it was looking quite dry. Don't know if you know on that.

The baby I've brought into the warmer house (although I don't keep the house that warm through the coller months) and I'm going to keep watering and fertlising as normal.

[Lagoon]

Rosie ..... Its a good idea that you brought the baby into the warmer area.
As far as mother and the ferts, most ppl will cut the feeds by mid-sept and continue to water until late oct or mid-nov. It depends on you're location. I would just allow the tempts to be my guide. Colder air = less water.

Sounds like you have a good handle on it all.

[nenella]

Originally Posted by Lagoon

Rosie ..... Its a good idea that you brought the baby into the warmer area.
As far as mother and the ferts, most ppl will cut the feeds by mid-sept and continue to water until late oct or mid-nov. It depends on you're location. I would just allow the tempts to be my guide. Colder air = less water.

Sounds like you have a good handle on it all.

I agree you're on the right tracK .. mine is in s/h and didn't flower the second year (all keikies recuperated from mother plant & replanted in same pot)one growth gave me 9 flowerthis year & I am hoping to 'beat it ' next season
but yes most important thing is 'the rest' (lesser water )especiallywhen canes have dropped all leaves..is what I have learned in 3 years with this one........ I dream of having all growths covered in flowers like when I first got it 3 years ago!

[RosieC]

Thanks everyone, I'm glad I'm on the right track. I really hope I get flowers from the mother as it was beautiful last year (I brought it in bud).

[orchidsamore]

I find many hobbyist do not understand the 'winter rest' recommended too often for 'nobile' hybrids.

The species Den nobile grows in a part of the world where it has brutal growing conditions and has adapted to the conditions.

Hybrids are another thing altogether. Many hybrids can take normal care without any changes.

Eliminating water or even reducing it too much will shrivel the canes and this should be avoided.

Here in Florida a 'winter rest' for species Dendrobium that are deciduous is to water very heavy only once a week in the winter. I have a friend that has a species Den nobile that he grows in his Vanda house on the side where it gets 15 minutes of water once a week. It is 5 feet tall and produces close to 1000 flowers a year.

I grow many nobile hybrids that have 100% nobile backgrounds and also water heavy once a week. All flower well every year.

The most important thing for a true 'winter rest' is to stop fertilizers. Nitrogen is the biggest problem with nobile types. Nitrogen will cause leaf growth and keiki production at the expense of flowers. Stop all Nitrogen applications on flowering plants in September (April in the southern hemisphere).

Non-flowering plants like keiki do not need any change since it will not flower well the first year.

[RosieC]

Thanks Jerry,

Really interesting. Well it's clear to me the keiki should not get a winter rest. As for the mother, I will definately withdraw fertiliser from now, and water... well I'll decide as I go and keep watering for now anyway.