Conferming Rumors on Dendrobium spectabile

[shushu45]

Heyy.

I bought a Dendrobium spectabile the other day, from Lowe's and did some research on it. From what I found out was that before they bloom the get really big. I dug deeper into the web and read about some rumors that if you decrees watering drastically for a few months you can get it to bloom early. What I want to know is that rumor true??

And also does this plant go dormant during the winter months?? Some sites say it does and other say it doesn't.

I thank y'all for the support and info.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Dendrobium spectabile comes from Papua New Guinea and The Solomon Islands. If you did research on the rainfall of that general area, you'll find that there is a drop off in precipitation during the winter. Rainfall is at its heaviest during the summer months. It still rains in the winter, but far less than during the summer.

Following its natural rainfall cycle will not make it produce flowers sooner. The plant will bloom in season according to when it is supposed to bloom.

[WhiteRabbit]

It's been my understanding that they DO need to be fairly large before blooming, and that fertilizer should be withheld from September until new growth in spring.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Yes, withhold fertilizer during the winter months. Resume fertilization during periods of growth.

[shushu45]

Thank y'all for the tid-bits. ^___^

[jesscorine]

I have one of these from Lowe's, I look forward to watching it grow!

[shushu45]

I am too. After looking at pix of it i named it Little Devil......hehe

[jesscorine]

If I am going to name it, it shall be Kraken, naturally!

[shushu45]

That sounds cute. hehe