Winter Rest

[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.