Den. aggregatum

[nancy]

Hi Don and Gloria -
I noticed that the 'sticky' in this section describes this as a deciduous orchid, with which I have serious issues.
I have been growing it like the callista and latouria groups, with dappled sun during the summer (all 9 months of it, with lots of water and fertilizer), and nearly full sun in winter, with no fertilizer but moderate amounts of water.
Somehow (and you know exactly how, I'm guessing) I've collected a really embarrassing number of Dendrobium species, and I really think that the key to blooming them in general is withholding fertilizer during rest, and giving the brightest light possible. Many seem to be native to deciduous forests, so this mimics their winter conditions, of little moisture and lots of sun.
South Louisiana is blessed with high humidity, stunning heat, scorching sun and (often) soaking rain. A paradise, if you like 'em hot and wet.
I grow almost nothing in a pot - too much danger of liquefaction during the monsoon season(s).
Regards - Nancy

[Don Perusse]

Thanks Nancy. I think I will definately take mine out of the pots and mount them. I see you are using cork and that has been a good mount for my Den. Superbum and Den. Primulium. So Georgia has a lot of humidity as does most of the south east. Will make a note of the "No Fert during winter, less water and high light.

[Lagoon]

Excellent Nancy,Thanks for posting again.

[gmdiaz]

I'll do the same: no fertilizer, less water and brighter light!

When should I start my "winter" routine?

[Don Perusse]

Gwen...when does yours start in Colo. mine doesn't start until December here in So. Ga.

[gmdiaz]

LOLOLOL

Well, here in CO it starts getting cold at the end of September, off and on, through April!

I am thinking that's a bit too much of a winter. . .so was thinking to start cutting back on water etc. . .in November through maybe March?

What'dya think?

[Don Perusse]

That sounds just about right! If you have an unusually warm day you might give a splash here 'n' there.

[quiltergal]

Nancy, I agree. I think it's been placed in the wrong group. I have a jenkinsii which is basically a miniature version of aggregatum or lindleyi is what it's going by these days. Jenkinsii is most definately not deciduous and really doesn't like a "hard" winter rest. I watered mine lightly every other week with no fert through the winter. It started to set a spike this spring but for some reason aborted it. I think maybe I didn't get it cool enough or started in with fert too soon. I'm not sure. At any rate your's is fantastic. Hope mine does as well some day.

As a side note (sorry for hijacking the thread) I just started reading Dendrobium and It's Relatives by Lavarack, Harris, and Stocker. It appears to be very comprehensive, and rather than sort them by type as Northern does it sorts them by sections, such as Callista, Latouria etc. There is cultural infomation at the end by section and species. Should be a Big Brain read.