New Den farmeri and thyrsiflorum questions

[isdaojon]

Hi everyone,

I have taken a look through the threads mentioning these but haven't found an answer to this question.

I just purchased one of each Den. farmeri and Den. thyrsiflorum. Its early spring here in Vancouver, and so from what I have read I should start watering these now.

However, having the plants in front of me, no new growths are visible yet and the farmeri has a spike developing (which compared to the timing of others seems a bit late for flowering).

Should I start watering these now or wait until I see new growth/flowers start to open?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Roberta]

I don't completely dry my Dens in general (In early "orchid career" I killed a few nobile types taking the "no water" thing too literally)... I would be inclined to start watering lightly. If they're going to bloom, they're already into that cycle... you won't enhance blooming by not watering.

I'm not so sure that severe drying-out is the only flowering trigger, or even the primary one... My Dens are mostly outside (a southern California luxury) and get a significant chill, that seems to trigger blooming too. (Note that in nature, even if it doesn't rain much these get heavy dew during the winter so they don't dry completely. What they DO get is much more light due to lack of cloud cover... something not so easy to achieve in cultivation in higher latitudes)

[estación seca]

I agree about watering all year.These are in Dendrobium section Densiflora. You can read about them on the Internet Orchid Species Photographic Encyclopedia. They come from medium to higher elevations from northeast India east into Vietnam.

Most grow in deciduous forests with a summer monsoon climate. They have bright shade and lots of rain in summer. They have much brighter light when the trees drop leaves in winter, and this is important for blooming. They get little winter rain but often dew. Even the ones getting no winter rain should be watered some in winter. They are not deciduous. Growths should keep leaves for multiple years. If leaves drop in the first few years they are probably not getting enough water. Some of this group prefer cool winter nights to induce flowering, and others are accustomed to warmer winters. You can read about individual species at IOSPE.

Especially in bud, keep watering. Keep it airy and bright, and not too warm. Bud blast can be caused by hot, dry air; not watering enough; and too much sun.

[Keysguy]

Agree with all above.

Mine are outdoors year-round but during our "dry" season here (Nov-Apr) I water them 1-2x/week. I just don't feed them during this time. Once all the flowers are off, then I start with the fertilizer again whether they have shown new growth at that point or not.

[isdaojon]

Thank you to everyone for your replies! I will definitely consider these thoughts for their winter "rest" in October then.

For now I will begin watering and see how the plants respond..

Thank you!

[Tango]

Hi,
I am a chronic overwaterer, and this species seems to like it especially. Even in winter, but temperatures seldom go below 17 °C where I have it.
It's a very easy plant that will make you very happy.
Enjoy!

[DeaC]

My Den. chrysotoxum is in bloom now on 1 spike and another forming. Also Densiflora section. Had read that if no blooms appear in spring then it probably means it was too wet in winter. I kept mine drier at that time and it's paying off. Deep yellow and fragrant. Grown under lights and warm with reg water and fert.

[Fairorchids]

There is a world of a difference between:

• Normal watering
• Drier in winter
• Winter rest

In this Dendrobium section (densiflorum), I would suggest only a slight reduction in watering (& fertilizer) from late Nov through early March or so.

For Den kingianum, speciosum & Den nobile, I cut back watering 90% from mid Oct till buds are well formed (and zero fertilizer from Sept 15 till buds open).