Den. amethystoglossom

[britbloke]

I have a small Den. amethystoglossom I got from a friend, so far it's puzzling me (which is not unusual for Den species) and I can't find much on-line that helps.

I also have a large Den. spectabile, that never bloomed for it's previous owner, any ideas?

Can anyone offer any cultural advice? I'm in S. Florida.

Tony

[Bud]

its a matter of letting it have its winter rest...you really have to psych yourself not to water it come mid December...but if it wrinkles from dryness you can spritz it a bit...otherwise...if you water it on its winter rest youll get only keikeis not buds...you will know when to water it normally when the new flowering buds appear...only then

[britbloke]

That's helpful, thank you...

should I treat it like Den. lindleyi regarding water? How about winter temperature?

[Bud]

you live in SW Florida... let it grow outside ...your atmosphere is conducive to growing orchids...you can even stick an orchid in a tree and it will thrive...let the normal winter weather in your environment help your plant to bloom..but if it gets freezing temperature...put it indoors

[britbloke]

Thanks Bud,
I'll do that. My Cattleya's stay outside and maybe get a poly cover if temperatures fall below 45 degrees. My more temperature sensitive types come inside overnight if the temperature falls below 55 (which is does quite a bit).

[Arenalbotanicalgarden]

For me over use of fertilizer(weekly) was always an issue with Dens. They'd grow and kiki and grow some more. Hang it in a tree and leave it alone. Nature will do the rest.