What's the deal with my dormant Dendrobium?

[Roberta]

The dormancy on the nobile-type Den is not as severe as for the Clowesetum. I have found that Den nobile and relatives do need some water through the winter, just not as much (and no fertilizer at that time) I think that giving them a a chill (50 deg F or a bit lower at night) is the bigger factor in blooming. They tend to keep leaves, especially the newer ones. The Clowesetum (and other Catasetinae) on the other hand really do need NO water once they drop leaves, until the new spring growth is well on its way. But they also don't want to get cold. That one should stay above 65 deg F at night (Phal temperatures)