Winter Rest vs Blooms - to water, or not to water?

[kmccormic]

Hi There!
What a great orchid show season. The New England clubs have been putting on fabulous displays. I couldn't resist picking up a Dendrobium Victoria-Reginae. Researching, some sites advocate a winter rest with no water for at least a month, and to let the cane shrivel 'a little'? And also that it tends to bloom in spring. It's blooming now. Does the fact that its blooming over-ride the winter rest advice? Should I continue watering it? With or without fertilizer? I don't want to lose the blooms prematurely, and I'm not sure how long the blooms usually last. Thanks for any advice you can lend.

Cheers,
Kara

[Wjs2nd]

Keep watering it. A winter rest period is usually to start blooming and growth.

[Bud]

The winter rest is over for your plant...it bloomed and so you need to water and nourish the plant...no fertilizer yet until you lose all blooms...then follow the culture of the plant according to Baker's...up till December 15th 2012...then by this time it will need rest...you may not lose all leaves but sometimes this kind of Dendrobium doesnt really need a harsh winter rest that you need to wait to water until the canes shrivel= put it in a bright cool place with no heat in your house...maybe if you watering regimen in the summer is every other day water...then you must do a gradual weekly and then every other week watering up till you see the flower buds come out...then you need to do it all over again the cycle of nourishment.

[shadytrake]

Hi Kara,

The Den victoria-reginae is not a winter rest Den. Though a cooler type Den, it does not require a winter rest rather needs a humid moist condition year round. They do best mounted (or rafted) because of the pendant type canes.

Follow this link for good information.

IOSPE PHOTOS

[kmccormic]

Thank you Wjs2nd, Bud, and Shadytrake!

I thought it would need fertilizer for strength while blooming? I guess not. Is it most orchids that don't want fertilizer during the bloom cycle, or just this sub-group? Is superthrive ok, or should I also avoid that too?

Cheers,
Kara