Dendrobium Nobile Winter Rest Question

[Ginger9899]

It feels very strange for me to be thinking about a winter rest, but this is my first Dendrobium Nobile (Den. Angel Moon ‘Love Letter') and I want to do it right. I purchased it in February and it has been growing 2 new canes all summer that are now nice and tall and plump.

I have read to stop fertilizing in August in many places, and start thinking about watering less. I wonder if this is what I should be doing now, even though it is still blazing hot summer here in Florida. It should be at least in the 80's F and higher here through November (90's F at least until September).

I just wondered if my weather constitutes a more delayed "winter rest" for this plant.

Thanks so much for any advice.

Edited to add that I am growing it on a West facing screened porch, watering about twice a week with rain water, fertilizing with about 1/4 tsp of Better Grow once a week, and it is planted in a plastic pot with air holes in a bark mix (Repotme Dendrobium mix).

[Bud]

When new growth appear in the spring, resume water and fertilizer. Culture during spring and summer is similar to phalaenopsis, with medium light and fertilizer weakly weekly. In the fall, cultural needs change drastically=since you are in Florida fall weather will come late so the advice that mid August does not apply because its still mid summer in your part of the world sometime mid October give it bright shaded light and hold fertilizer will help to initiate flower buds. Water normally so that the bulbs do not shrivel. Buds will appear when the night temperatures are cooler and the growths have fully matured which is usually in mid-winter, with blooms opening in January and February.

Some newer Nobile (like your plant) and Ise hybrids are warmth tolerant and do not require as much cooling to set flower buds. They do like to be outside during the summer, so the temperatures will drop in the evening. You can leave them out until fall, but bring inside if there is frost. They bloom well under moderate temperatures.

Do not over pot the plants. They like to be root-bound and do well in relatively small pots. They will grow well in plastic or clay and a variety of medias. Keikis or offshoots may form on the canes, and these may be potted as new plants when they start to form at least 3 inches roots. If plants produce keikis instead of blooms blame it on too much fertilizer and temperatures that was too warm at night.

---------- Post added at 04:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:53 PM ----------

proper winter rest for your plant is not as drastic as most Dendrobiums where you really hold water until you see buds form....you must give this kind of orchid plant a more relaxed winter rest

[Ginger9899]

Thank you so much Bud, that helps a lot. I feel much more confident about it now.