Winter Rest

[JennS]

Originally Posted by cloudswinger

I have the orchids outside in S. Florida, and it seems like it actually has been more rainy this month than last month, so I'm going to let nature take its course. The dry season should be starting soon in Florida, usually around the end of October. Then it only rains once every couple of weeks, rather than daily like in the rainy season.

Don't you realize that there's only 2 seasons that matter, rainy and dry?

I understand what you are saying about the rainy and dry season, but that is not really what I meant. However, now that you mentioned it, it got me to thinking that, duh! since I keep them outside, I have to use nature as a clue. So, I think you are very correct in saying that once the "dry" (or not as wet season) season kicks in, that is my signal to cut back my watering habits. I need to really observe the natural rainfall too and take that into account, so that if I cut back to watering say, once a week, if it rains, then no watering from me. I think now is a good time to start cutting back on fertilizer for some of those in question.

I did find some really good info yesterday too after I did a good search around other sites, but although I do research for a living and should be well trained, I forgot to note the links. One that I did print out and still have with me is found here:

Good info on Den. anosmum (aka. superbum):
http://www.rainforest-orchids.co.uk/...anosmum(1).pdf

[Sandy4453]

Jenn, so the results are now in and you've given a great synopsis to clarify all the confusion we both had! Also, that link you provided is great.

One thing I've always been told with the superbum and Dend nobiles is to stop fertilizing by the end of August, before they go into resting.

Ross, I saw pics of your anosmum. If mine turns out 1/4 as nice as yours, I'll be very happy!

Steve, thanks for your comments. Since my anosmum is still growing and seems to be getting plumper (and a sudden surge in root growth too), I'm still watering until they dictate otherwise. I'm sure, once the weather starts getting cooler here, new signs of dormancy will begin occurring.

Also, thanks for the answer to the deciduous/winter rest question. Yes, of course it's all relative to which orchid. It seems only sensible that deciduous orchids would require rest. I'm glad your verified that I still have some of my senses. P.S. I'm saving your notes for future reference!

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Sandy4453

One thing I've always been told with the superbum and Dend nobiles is to stop fertilizing by the end of August, before they go into resting.

Sandy, I water/fertilize daily right up to Oct 31 when the anosmum goes into total remission! It's daily, till Oct 31, then November 1, till buds show in April, notta - not one drop moisture. I have been putting them out in the morning to drain and drip on the back deck where temps are in the high 50s and low 60s. I need to keep water off the plants that sit below them. I think, perhaps the coolness is playing a role also since they have lost a leaf or two in the process (starting dormancy?)

[JennS]

Originally Posted by Ross

Sandy, I water/fertilize daily right up to Oct 31 when the anosmum goes into total remission! It's daily, till Oct 31, then November 1, till buds show in April, notta - not one drop moisture. I have been putting them out in the morning to drain and drip on the back deck where temps are in the high 50s and low 60s. I need to keep water off the plants that sit below them. I think, perhaps the coolness is playing a role also since they have lost a leaf or two in the process (starting dormancy?)

Ross, how shriveled does yours get after/during the 5 months or so of no moisture?

[cloudswinger]

Originally Posted by JennS

I understand what you are saying about the rainy and dry season, but that is not really what I meant. However, now that you mentioned it, it got me to thinking that, duh! since I keep them outside, I have to use nature as a clue. So, I think you are very correct in saying that once the "dry" (or not as wet season) season kicks in, that is my signal to cut back my watering habits. I need to really observe the natural rainfall too and take that into account, so that if I cut back to watering say, once a week, if it rains, then no watering from me. I think now is a good time to start cutting back on fertilizer for some of those in question.

I was semiserious about the wet and dry seasons. Most of the Den orchids that need the rest are in monsoonal areas, where there are distinct dry and rainy seasons and not really a cold winter season. Luckily for those of us in Florida, our rainy season corresponds with most of the areas that have rainy seasons. So our driest months are Jan and Feb, so I'd start cutting back around Dec. Forget the august/october advice, that's from people with real winters! It's getting cold there. It's still in the mid 80s here, and we're still getting daily rain. It kind of makes it easy for us to grow some orchids. Cymbidiums, on the other hand...

miami weather patterns:
Climate in Miami, Florida
thai weather patterns:
Climate Thailand : average temperatures and rainfall
I also found it interesting that the dry season in Hawaii is the opposite of the dry season in Florida.

The Catesetum are from a whole different area entirely, and it looks like they have a whole different rainfall pattern, so they probably are cold induced dormancy.

[JennS]

Originally Posted by cloudswinger

I was semiserious about the wet and dry seasons. Most of the Den orchids that need the rest are in monsoonal areas, where there are distinct dry and rainy seasons and not really a cold winter season. Luckily for those of us in Florida, our rainy season corresponds with most of the areas that have rainy seasons. So our driest months are Jan and Feb, so I'd start cutting back around Dec. Forget the august/october advice, that's from people with real winters! It's getting cold there. It's still in the mid 80s here, and we're still getting daily rain. It kind of makes it easy for us to grow some orchids. Cymbidiums, on the other hand...

The Catesetum are from a whole different area entirely, and it looks like they have a whole different rainfall pattern, so they probably are cold induced dormancy.

Sorry I missed the joke on that one. I was getting a bit grumpy because I was getting so confused and I just want to badly to see that Den. anosmum (and the others too of course) bloom this year! I am desperate! I think I overlooked some of the points, but still get a good idea from them, which is what you just pointed out. We don't have the same weather as many others do so we have to adjust our dormancy period and you made the point to me that I probably would have kept overlooking, so thank you!

Anyway, I think we are all getting some good advice and passing around good ideas (well mostly me just listening) so I am grateful to everyone who replied.

I appologize if I came across badly, that is not how I intended. I forget sometimes that people can't hear my tone through what I have typed. Thanks to all who contributed to this thread! Hopefully in a few months (give or take...) we will all be posting pics of our beautiful dens that are just waking up from their winter naps and we can share our stories of how they got that way.