Trichocentrum - winter rest?
 

Hi all! I've got two miniature Trichocentrum species, a pumilum and what could be a pulchrum (will know for sure if/when it blooms). Anybody here grow these, and have experience with winter care? Some sites I've seen suggest a "soft" winter rest, just a lessening of water, while others say keep them very dry. Both plants are mounted and in high light, good humidity.

Thanks! :biggrin:

I've grown 2 species of Trichocentrum before. But not for very long. At the time I didn't understand what I know now in regards to researching a plant's habits and possible cultural requirements.

My suggestion is that if you have questions regarding over-wintering any species of orchids is to check the climate and annual precipitation percentages for the general area or specific habitat they were collected from.

It would also help if you knew what commonly sold species of orchid, (that everybody knows the cultural regimen to), grows along side with it. Chances are, the culture would be very similar.

As far as I know about Trichocentrum pulchrum, it has tiny pseudobulbs (from what I've read) hidden amongst the leaves. For the longest time, I thought they didn't have a pseudobulb, because they weren't visibly apparent. It looks like a miniature vandaceous plant similar to Ceratocentron fessellii vegetatively (they're not identical looking, they look almost the same - similar). So it makes more sense to reduce the fertilization and watering during the winter, but not by much.

Not watering during winter will kill your plant.

This was one of the species I grew.