Den Lemon Dance culture

[mook1178]

I have a Den Lemon Dance. It is a primary hybrid of williamsonii and trigonopus.

I have struggled with this orchid for the past 2 years I have had it. I have read that it does and does not need a winter rest. Everything I have read about the parents says that they should have a winter rest. So I think, it should. BUt what really is a winter rest for Dens? Should they dry out completely like catasetinae or let the media dry out for an extended period and only water when the stalks shrivel?

Anybody have one and can tell me what their routine is?

[estación seca]

I haven't grown this plant. Few Formosae species like being bone dry, even in winter. According to IOSPE trigonopus needs that for a few weeks at the end of winter. I would withhold winter fertilizer and lessen watering, but not to the point of allowing leaves to drop.

Both parents get very cool winter nights, probably sometimes not much above freezing. Are you able to give it cool winter nights?

[mook1178]

Thank you for that info.

Yes I live in northern Delaware and currently our overnight temps are hovering around freezing. Think I could just set it outside and let it get natural watering from rains? We do tend to get nights below freezing in Jan and February though. I am not sure how the large temp swings from moving in and outside would affect the plant.

Your thoughts?

[Roberta]

I think that your climate is too cold for outdoors... For "rest" maybe cut back water a bit but it doesn't need to be by a lot. The worst that happens from inadequate "rest" is not blooming... won't harm the plant.

[mook1178]

Thank you Roberta and Estacion.

This has been really helpful. I will hopefully have blooms in 2 springs. I only have two small bulbs with leaves and 5 or 6 that lost leaves through the last couple of years. Sounds like I am just not giving it enough water in winter and summer. Fingers crossed!

[Roberta]

As long as the medium is well drained and can dry out between waterings, don't stress over "too much water" - people kill Phals in broken down sphagnum, hence all the cautions about over-watering. If it drains well, go for optimizing the health and growth of the plant. Flowers will be the reward eventually. Certainly in the warmer months, it needs both water and fertiilzer. In winter, no fertilizer, it's not growing much but water is still beneficial especially with low indoor humidity.

[estación seca]

Formosae Dens use amazing amounts of water in summer. When I wrote cool winter nights, I meant about 45-50 F / 3-5C, with warmer days.

[TZ-Someplace]

With no coffee or eyeglasses this morning I thought the post said Don Lemon dance culture and thought there might be an interesting video.

Good luck with your plant.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Originally Posted by TZ-Someplace

With no coffee or eyeglasses this morning I thought the post said Don Lemon dance culture and thought there might be an interesting video.

Good luck with your plant.

i did too!!!

i have weird dens i experiment with but everything gets some water all year round


i might suggest that you keep it near a window indoors- then it will get that cold night time temp too