Chiloschista exuperei: To fertilize or not to fertilize?

[KristenReuel]

I have been told that chiloschistas go through a winter rest, so I stopped watering mine as frequently starting Oct 31 and I stopped fertilizing it altogether.

Over the past couple of days I've noticed at least one spike forming. 99% sure it's a spike. There's another growth that I believe could also be a spike.

My question is, should I begin fertilizing the plant again? Does it need to be fertilized to support the growth of the spike(s)? I live in currently dreary Ontario, where the days are not getting any brighter.

I'd really like this orchid to bloom, as it has sentimental value to me.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Chiloschista do go through a winter rest period. Do not water heavily nor fertilize unless you want it to die within 1 month, (before I figured out they had a dormancy, I had lost Chiloschistas in less than 1 week of watering and fertilizing it during dormancy; I mentioned one month just in case there were those that were die-hards). It doesn't matter if it is spiking or not, just don't do it. There are serious consequences for the plant if the winter rest is ignored.

Congratulations on your Chiloschista exuperei spiking, btw.

If you feel you need to water, only water once a month during dormancy. The less water, the better.

I don't even water my Chiloschista viridiflava right now. It's just there doing its thing and sleeping.

Btw, not very many sources out there are willing to tell you the secret to growing Chiloschistas. The secret is the dormancy.

You can get a freshly imported Chiloschista spp. from another country and have it come to you looking extremely raggedy-a***d, but as long as the plant has 3 - 4 strong roots, you provide adequate humidity, and you observe the winter dormancy, the plants will make efforts to recover.

[KristenReuel]

Thank you for the valuable information! So is Valentine's day a good time to begin watering again?

Btw, what conditions do you have your chiloschista in? Is it in a greenhouse?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I have it mounted on cork without moss, growing under shade in intermediate to warm temperatures, (55 F - 90 F), with moderate to high humidity, (60% - 90%), in my bathroom.

It is given a dry winter dormancy, with the rare watering if I see that is getting a bit "thirsty".