HELP PLEASE WITH DIFFERENT DENDROBIUMS - WINTER REST

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Hi guys, I need some help with my Dendrobiums. I have 4 amazing Dendrobiums at my balcony here in Miami. Dendrobium Anosmum, Dendrobium goldschmidtianum, Dendrobium bracteosum and Dendrobium (Dockrillia) wasselii. The last mentioned one, Dockrillia from Australia is doing awesome, growing like crazy and blooming every year at this time, I had already 6 stalks witinh last month. The other 3 not so much. They are growing great, but they do not bloom. Dendrobium bracteosum was in bloom when I got it, amazing orchid, bloomed for nearly 5 months. Than it had quite a few new growths, with nice green leaves over winter. Now pretty much lot of leaves fall and it has only few green leaves at the end of new growths, and lot of older growths that look dry or half dry. My Dendrobium Goldschmid grows extremely well, lot of new growths, green leaves, in between the leaves there are some brown spots in the last 2 months, but no blooming whatsoever. Dendrobium ansomum has 3 old growths, than it had one nice long one that grew since I got it last year, lost all the leaves, another new growth this year. lost again all the leaves by now, both of them are starying to have new growths from them now, and there are also 2 brand new green growths, but no blooms also. I did not quite understand what WINTER REST means, and I did water my anosmum and all others as well, less frequent than summer time, but regular watering once a week at least. Now I learned i have to leave this Dendrobium COMPLETELY WITHOUT ANY WATER OR MIST for the whole winter, like since november till february??? No water whatsoever?? Just want to make sure I do understand this correct. Also, is theer any other of my dendrobiums that required winter rest and no watering whatsoever??? I have also Dendrochilum filiforme, bloomed amazingly when I got it last year, since than it doubled in size, but now blooming this year, even it has lot of new growths. I did read somewhere this one should never dry out actually, but not sure if this apply to growing season or also winter? Please help me, I love dendrobiums, it just seems even they have great conditions here in Florida, I am doing something wrong Thanks for any help and detailed tips for each one.

[WhiteRabbit]

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Thanks Sonya, hope someone with experience with Dendrobium's will give me some advise, I really want them to bloom, but I do not want to kill them. It seems pretty drastic not to water for months, but maybe this is what some of them really need, not sure though which one except Anosmum, which I read needs it for sure

[WhiteRabbit]

Generally, they should get SOME water, just small amounts to keep canes from shrivelling excessively.

I'm short on time today, but if you aren't getting replies, I can try to look these up in a Dendrobium book I have.

Also, if you haven't already done so, check IOSPE. http://www.orchidspecies.com/. It might be easiest to Google *[species name] iospe*

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Once more thanks a lot Sonya
you know, I love orchids, and for years I was just randomly buying different ones, just the once I did like, in stores or online, I buy from seller in Hawaii, on eBay. I did never think about the fact there are so many orchids needing such a different conditions. In last few years, it did hit me, since I have quite a collection, even growing them only outside at he balcony, there are probably over 40 pieces, and probably over 20 different spices. It starting to bug me I can;t provide perfect conditions for some of them to bloom or thrive. In last week I decided to change the approach and try to make sure I will give each and one of them what they need, in whatever way it is possible here in Florida. I did spend hours on the net, searching and googling, writing my diary, page by page dedicated to each one piece I have:-) I did find info I needed for the dendrobiums already since there were no reply's to my post, but if you would find in your book any extra tips and tricks I would greatly appreciate any help. I did learn a lot, for example about seaweed extract, or to use Ice Cube to cool down some during the night, which i tried already for the cold climate cymbidium, however that one did not work so much, but with small masdevallias or other pieces I have in need of temperature drop this might work. I still have a lot to research and write down, I'm in the middle of my list, but I learned so much reading this forum and different topics. It is always nice though when you can chat with some experts like you can find here on this website. So, once more, thanks a lot for any tips, and answers, from all members, greatly appreciated. Especially if there is someone from my climate zone, as it seems complicate do grow so many orchids here in Miami. now I am in the stage trying to figure out how to make filtered sunlight, i did try to place some of the orchids that I read need direct sun on the sun part of my balcony, but they got burned, and it did not do really any good, more bad, now I learn that it should be probably filtered sunlight. How do you achieve that? My balcony has only afternoon direct sun, from cca 3pm to evening, no morning sun unfortunately possible. So much more to learn and do:-)

[Aurimar]

I just purchased a dendrobium victoria reginae and will post the care sheet provided to me from the seller. Not all dendrobiums have the same requirements but this will give you a general idea of the dormant season.

Water:
It is best to use rainwater, distilled or reverse osmosis water. Municipal water with a pH of 7.5 or lower can also be used. This plant likes abundant water during the growing season from spring through fall. During the winter months after the growths have matured and hardened, allow the plant to become drier at the roots between watering. Watering every 2-3 weeks in the winter may be sufficient. It is acceptable for the canes to shrivel slightly. If they continue shriveling, however, increase the frequency of watering. Use rain, distilled or reverse osmosis water for best results. Melted snow works well too! 
Overwatering can cause several problems such as root rot and infectious bacteria/fungus in the potting medium

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Hi Aurimar
and thanks so much, this helps a lot. I did google your dendrobium it does look stunning, definitely on my list now! It looks very similar to Anosmum, so i believe care should be the same. So this say to water it still every 2-3 weeks at least during winter, that's what is my confusion with that winter rest and dry period, most pages writes DO NOT WATER whatsoever even no mist till buds shows. Only in the case canes shrive real bad, so I still do not know if I should water at all, but I do live in Florida, and even winter time can be hot here. May I ask if you purchase this one online or in the store? I truly like this one, such amazing color:-)

[Aurimar]

I actually bought this one online from orchidweb.com

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Wow, that's the only place I found it also, whenever I did see yours. Did you get the one with spikes or one without? I am still deciding which one to get, I would love to see pictures of the one you received since they do not have pictures of the actual piece. It is hanging in shopping cart since the time you wrote first reply:-)

[Aurimar]

Well it is starting to drop the leaves off the cane that has the little mini spikes with a little hint of purple. I will gladly take some picture and try to figure out how to post them lol. I purchased the one in spike. Going to take some pictures and I will post asap.