Winter rest struggle

[ThePinkCucumber]

Hi guys (and ladies ),

I have two Den. nobile (species) plants and I'm really struggling with their winter rest.
It's just so counter-intuitive for me to not water them, especially when all other plants are getting their water. I keep humidity up, but still I need to take some deep breaths to stop myself from watering. How do you just not water during this period?

[Subrosa]

I don't keep nobile, but I do keep several other Dendrobium species and many other plants which require dry rests at various times of the year. Although I check them as often as possible, I just don't water them during rest, unless I see pronounced shriveling. I also try to keep the humidity up during the rest. When I see signs of waking up I give the plant a good soaking and see how it responds. If growth is apparent I start normal care. That applies to most of my plants which require a dormancy, but I am a bit more careful with certain rot prone species to not water too heavily until new growth is well established.

[disalover]

I have a hard time giving my habenaria rest. I have a dendrobium phalaenopsis, don't think he needs a rest

PS. Sorry I missed you at our meeting TOTALLY forgot, did you buy anything??

[gnathaniel]

It's not necessary or necessarily beneficial to keep Den. nobile completely dry in the wintertime; check out the Bakers' culture sheet for winter rainfall averages near Chiang Mai, Thailand. I keep mine much drier in winter than I do in the summer because they're not actively growing, but I still water every 4-6 days and sometimes more. Can you put your plants where they'll get some water, but not as much as other things that want to stay moist throughout?

[ThePinkCucumber]

Originally Posted by disalover

I have a hard time giving my habenaria rest. I have a dendrobium phalaenopsis, don't think he needs a rest

PS. Sorry I missed you at our meeting TOTALLY forgot, did you buy anything??

Hi! Sorry, I was in a complete paph-zone! We'll see each other next time for sure I got a haynaldianum, very very happy with it. You?

[disalover]

Unfortunately nothing. But asked Tinus to bring some paphs for me to the next meeting. I could not stop staring at Hendries Paph insigne

[ThePinkCucumber]

Originally Posted by disalover

Unfortunately nothing. But asked Tinus to bring some paphs for me to the next meeting. I could not stop staring at Hendries Paph insigne

Oh it was gorgeous - I took so many pictures that night. I just couldn't leave without one of Henriette's plants, too good of a price to let that one pass

---------- Post added at 06:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:34 AM ----------

Originally Posted by gnathaniel

It's not necessary or necessarily beneficial to keep Den. nobile completely dry in the wintertime; check out the Bakers' culture sheet for winter rainfall averages near Chiang Mai, Thailand. I keep mine much drier in winter than I do in the summer because they're not actively growing, but I still water every 4-6 days and sometimes more. Can you put your plants where they'll get some water, but not as much as other things that want to stay moist throughout?

I can keep them away easily, it's just the psychological aspect of it I guess this year I'll try Subrosa's 'method' and if I see shriveling, I'll water.
Or actually, as I have two plants of the same kind and age, I'll experiment - keep one bone dry until it shrivels and the other will receive some water, but not too much.
Thank you so much for all your answers!

[bil]

Well, some need a dry rest, but if they are growing, or have any development going, I water.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by bil

Well, some need a dry rest, but if they are growing, or have any development going, I water.

100% agree, the plant will always tell you what it wants. You have to learn how to listen!

[bil]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

100% agree, the plant will always tell you what it wants. You have to learn how to listen!

I am known to walk into the greenhouse and say "Speak up you b******s or it's compost time!"

---------- Post added at 09:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:49 AM ----------

Originally Posted by ThePinkCucumber

Or actually, as I have two plants of the same kind and age, I'll experiment - keep one bone dry until it shrivels and the other will receive some water, but not too much.
Thank you so much for all your answers!

Experiment away! How else will you learn?