Dendrobium wardianum winter care?
 

If anyone here grows Dendrobium wardianum, would you mind giving me some cultural advice for its winter care, please? My plant has spent the summer outdoors, has a couple of large (close to two feet long) pseudobulbs that it's grown, along with a few leafless bulbs from last year, and I'd like to see if I can encourage it to flower this winter (or next spring, whichever the case might be). Thanks!

Steve

I see this is a Type I (full winter rest) type Dendrobium. As such it would like a full winter rest like we give anosmum. In addition, a cool spell would be in order. Cooler than you would provide anosmum. I suggest high 50s to low 60s at night and somewhat warmer days (like low 70s). Hope this helps. Oh, and don't be tempted to water till the new flower buds spring forth next April or so.

Thanks, Ross. Do you have any idea of approximately when I should stop watering it? I'm just one state south of you, and our night temps' are beginning to plumet to the mid-40's now. Guess I'm just paranoid that if I stop watering it now and wait until next April to resume watering, that seems like an awfully long time. But I'm going to start putting it outside at night with the cymbidiums for a while. If the leaves start yellowing, perhaps that will be a good cue to stop watering. Thank you again for your feedback. It's much appreciated.

Steve

You got to be careful about Group I dendrobium. The culture is just general and there are certain species like fandlayanum, amphyllum, primulianum, superbum, capillipies and more that can bloom easily in intermediate-warm temperature. Most of my Group I all bloom very well with 15-16'C night temperature. The most important thing is there is a at least some temperature changes between day and night. And btw, winter rest doesn't mean u leave the plant bone dry as most plants do get morning and evening dew/mist in their native habitat. You can spray the plant with water once every 1/2 weeks.

Good information. Thank you! Right now our days are still unseasonably warm. In addition, since my sunroom has a southwest orientation, it gets warmed up to 80 - 85F (27 - 29C) during the day. Nights drop down to around the 52 - 56F (11 - 13C) range with all of the windows open. So providing a decent day-to-night temperature differential isn't a big problem. Humidity is kept pretty high too (60 to 75%). I'll just starting watering the plant less once cold weather truly arrives and see if giving it a periodic misting every three to four days does the trick. Thanks again for your help.

Steve

Per Dendrobium and it's relatives by Lavarack, Harris & Stocker

This species does well in a hanging pot or basket in bright light and intermediate temperatures. It should be given a brief dry season in winter if it is to flower well. During this time humidity should be low and the plants should dry out completely

I'm not sure what their definition of brief is. HTH. :)

Steve, missed your post, sorry. I (like Sue) start withholding all water Novemeber 1. I just started today skipping days to get it ready. Cold shouldn't be the issue so much. I set mine out for a few hours early morning when temps are in the 40s or low 50s and all I've seen is a dropped leaf or two. Temps don't seem to do it for mine. I have to withhold all moisture.

Yours, by the way is in Type 1 and superbum (anosmum) is type 2. This means warmer for mine, colder for yours. Hope this helps.