Dendrobium S/H Winter Watering Advice

[freezedried74]

I am new to growing orchids and have 3 dens that are doing very well growing in semi-hydro. I have read about not watering dens in the winter and wanted some advice to the questions below. I live in Michigan and my plants sit in a southern facing garden window. I currently water as needed (about once a week) with 125 ppm N, MSU fertilizer, and a couple drops of KLN.

1) How should I water my dens in the winter?
2) If I change watering when should I start/stop?
3) If I am still watering do I need to change my fertilizing?
4) Do I need to move my dens to a different location for the winter?

Thank you.
Brian

[quiltergal]

Not all dendros require a winter rest. If you list what you have we can better advise you. If you don't have ids for them then pictures would be the next best thing.

[freezedried74]

All 3 were rescued from Lowe's. One of them has an ID that says Dendrobium Madame Vipa. The other 2 look very similar.

[quiltergal]

These look like phal typ dendros to me. They like to be grown warm year round, bright light, and two periods of water restriction. Here's an excerpt from Orcihds Care & Cultivation by Leroy-Terquem & Parisot.

A reduction in watering after the growing period is necessary to the good formation of the inflorescence. Water abundantly once more when flowering begins, then cut back again until the new shoot appears. It is essential to spray the plant during these periods of water rationing.


Note that these don't need to be cool to trigger blooming like some of the other dendros.

[caseydoll]

I really have no experience with this since I just have some phals in s/h and I just purchased my first dendro a few days ago. But I have been doing a bunch of reading about them so I found this link that may be helpful. http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ens-again.html
I'm sure someone will chime in that has more experience with dens in s/h but I wouldn't let it dry out come winter. All the new roots that have tailored themselves to the new system will probably suffer and/or die. Then you will have to start the whole process over again in spring. I can't imagine that would be good but like I said I don't know for sure. Hope that helps a little.

[Ray]

The general rule-of-thumb for winter "rests" in S/H is to water normally, but discontinue feeding.