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- - Resting period. (http://www.orchidboard.com/community/beginner-discussion/68536-resting-period.html)

Hey y'all. :hello:waving

I am having a tough time finding information on when my orchid's resting periods are (if they have any).

Here is a list of the orchids I have:
A few Phalaenopsis
1 Encyclia cordigera
1 Dendrobium spectable
1 B. Little Star
1 Vanilla planifolia
1 Lc. Marcia foster bob sanker
1 Onc. Heaven scent 'Sweet pea'
And
1 BLC. Windward flare 'Large'

Any help would be much appreciated thank you

I have the cordigera, spectabile, vanilla and Marcia Foster and I don't give any of them a rest. They get less water in the winter because of shorter days and less light but I do water them when dry.

Brooke

Encyclia cordigera needs very little water or fertilizer during the winter months. I water mine about once a week or sometimes even less during the winter and that's for outdoors in South Florida. It probably doesn't need any fertilizer during the winter but I usually fertilize it once a month from Nov. through Feb..

As a general rule, if an orchid is not actively growing, it doesn't need much water or fertilizer. Water and fertilizer don't cause an orchid to start growing. They should be provided on regular basis after you see new roots or growths starting so that it will support the growth. When an orchid is not actively growing we need to provide just enough moisture to keep it from getting dehydrated.

Not all orchids have a resting period. Many hybrids grow continuously all year but they'll still use less during the winter when the days are short and the light is weak.

Thank you for the info. ^_^

Quote:

Originally Posted by tucker85 (Post 579636)

Encyclia cordigera needs very little water or fertilizer during the winter months. I water mine about once a week or sometimes even less during the winter and that's for outdoors in South Florida. It probably doesn't need any fertilizer during the winter but I usually fertilize it once a month from Nov. through Feb..

As a general rule, if an orchid is not actively growing, it doesn't need much water or fertilizer. Water and fertilizer don't not cause an orchid to start growing. They should be provided on regular basis after you see new roots or growths starting so that it will support the growth. When an orchid is not actively growing we need to provide just enough moisture to keep it from getting dehydrated.

Not all orchids have a resting period. Many hybrids grow continuously all year but they'll still use less during the winter when the days are short and the light is weak.

May be this would be a good place to ask - what to do when the Phal stops growing altogether?

I have one that came in bloom over a year ago. After blooming passed, it produced 1 leaf and then.. stopped growing altogether.

About 6 months later or so it rebloomed, which gave me much hope yet that this was the end of it......

I repotted it into a more airy media, examined the roots, everything appears to be fine.... excepts it just sits there with two leaves doing nothing. :roll:

There are no green tips on the roots but they are not rotten either. I moved it closer to the window and increased watering/fertilizing hoping that life would kick in... So far - 3 months later - nothing. Have no idea what else to do.

Would much appreciate any tips!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Orchid (Post 579776)

Hmm... if roots look good, I guess your watering is good. How far from the window is it? And what direction does the window face? What are temps like? Does it get fertilizer?

You might want to start a new thread with questions - likely get more views (and hopefully replies) that way :)

Phals generally rest awhile after flowering. Or when they are cold. Phals come from the tropics for the most part and like it warm. So it may be that you aren't giving them enough warmth or watering with cold water. Maybe a little of both. Try putting them on a heat mat. Or watering with more tepid water. And give them more light. Not real bright light but more light. 80*f is a good temp for them. Watering them with water that is say 60*f is like us jumping in 60*f water. Brrrrr!!!!! Luke warm is better.

Each phal is different also. About half of my phals grow really well. Others grow very slowly. And a few barely grow at all. Those one's probably just don't like the environment that I provide. I give an orchid about two years. If it doesn't grow well for me, I give it away or throw it away. I prefer those plants that thrive in my environment.

All mine seem to like my environment I have them in, except the Den.
Tiger, my Phal., has grown a lot of new roots and 10 new flower buds. He grows really fast.

on your list: Dendrobium spectabile needs winter rest....fertilizer and water must be reduced(if you water once a week , in winter water it every other week) until new growth comes out in the spring....
the rest of the plants on your list don't need resting.