Dendrobium Kingianum conflicting care info

[Raqsharqi]

Another new orchid to my collection is a Dendrobium Kingianum. It also came with absolutely no care information. I wrote to the grower and got no response, so I looked the orchid up online, and the information I got there says to cut way back on water from November to spring...which could be February for me. One says to treat it like a cactus, which to me means "if it rains, it gets water." I decided to phone the grower yesterday and was told that I have to water it and feed it the same year round, and if I don't do that and cut back on water, I won't get flowers and the plant could die. I'm a newbie. I thought I knew what this plant needs, but the information is SO different I don't know what to do. (For what it's worth, the grower said I should treat my Ascf. Twinkle the exact same way....water 1x week, bright light, south window)

[silken]

I don't know about others, but I keep my Den. Kingianum cool and quite dry from fall till I see spikes. It actually sits with my Den. Nobiles and gets the same treatment. I get quite a nice show of blooms that way. The Nobiles could stand to do better but that's another story!

Hopefully WhiteRabbit will see this because she has one that puts on a gorgeous display of blooms if I remember correctly, so she may have some tips for you.

[Matorchid]

I was under the impression, nobles are the ones that need the winter rest. The Kinganium doesn't need it. Plus I think with your location it really isn't going to need it. I'm in Cali. Central Valley and I have 2 that are still putting on blooms while not a lot of them they still seem to want to show me something. I would wait see what some of the more experienced ones(like White Rabbit) has to say.
I think in your zone you should be able to go year around.

[catherinecarney]

My understanding is that Den. kingianum has a fairly wide range, and as a result some cultivars need a more marked seasonal rest than others....At any rate, here's how I grow mine: during active growth (spring through about late September here in Ohio) plenty of water and nutrients (water from the fish and turtle tanks) and dappled shade on a south facing porch from May onwards. I leave it outside until night temps are in the high 40's, though I water less as the temps cool off. Once I bring it in night temps are in the low 60's and day temps rise to just above 70. Light is from south (preferred) or east facing windows, and I continue with light watering. Spikes and keikis usually start to grow after the start of the year, and I increase watering as day length increases and the plant resumes active growth.

I haven't gotten a huge display of flowers using this system--about 50/50 flowers and keikis, but every year I get a bit braver about how much the plant can take....

Bottom line is don't be afraid to experiment and find what works for you and your particular plant!

Catherine

[campchi]

I have den. Kingianum, first year I own it, I let it have a winter rest and it almost kills it. Of course giving that I live in southern california with little humidity. Anyways, you will be surprise how much heat this thing can take. Even with tripple digit temps, it won't even get sun burn. I water it regularly. All den. Kingianum needs is a temp drop for it to bloom. I bought it from the vendor who grows this outdoor all year long in southern california and it blooms even more for him. So who knows, experiment to see what works best for you. I'll see mine bloom this year or not since I almost kill it last year.

[WhiteRabbit]

Den. kingianum in glorious bloom!

My kingi with about 75 spikes this past April.

Water somewhat reduced in winter; watered about once a week - so not left dry for long periods. Fertilized as usual. Grown outdoors year-round in SF bay area (zone 9), sheltered in winter.

I can usually see the nodes starting to swell by late summer / early autumn, tho it typically doesn't bloom til early spring; but spikes are growing, buds developing during winter, so it seemed counter-intuitive to me to withhold water and fertilizer during that period.

From my understanding and experience, it is cool temps (especially at night) that trigger spikes (as nodes on MINE start to swell as early as late summer; and spike nubs are beginning now)

I know the general wisdom says they want a dry winter, but I have read that their native habitat DOES receive rain in winter (not monsoons, or anything, but not completely dry), and I certainly can't complain about the results I have gotten after only reducing water somewhat, and keeping up with fertilizer.

[campchi]

Den. Kingianum originated in australia, so they do receive quite a bit of rain during winter

[Raqsharqi]

Do the same rules apply for my other winter resting dendrobium, the superbum? I've gotten mixed advice on that as well.

[Raqsharqi]

Today I noticed this little growth up by a leaf. Is this a bud or a keiki?

[Bud]

Go back to the basics. Disregard conflicting information about its culture.
This orchid plant is endemic to Queensland and New South Wales in Australia.
This is a coastal plant.
Research on the temperature and humidity of that area then the seasonal changes.....and then adjust it according to your environment and try to mimic the changing seasons and provide it with the temperature and humidity this kind of plant needs.
Just remind yourself you live in Tucson, Arizona where the summers are just way too hot and dry then the winters are mild in the day.... but freezing at night.
You will need a humidifier with a fan attached to it....a saucer of water under the pot making sure the roots don't get wet....
There is a couple of months in spring and this fall where you can put this outdoors and water it every day....but summers and winters this need to be indoors in your harsh environment.

*strange but your plant produced a spike this time of year....