resting period after flowering
 

I have a cattelaya and my den Phal . that are just about finished with the blooms , and i am wondering if i should just place them back under my lights or just let them rest for a few months perhaps by a window or just in an area with difused lighting . I am aware they all have cycles but since i just started my collection this year i have learning curves to adjust to . any comments would be good :)

some dens do require a period of "rest" - less water and brighter light. What is the registered name of your den and I can try and check ? Catts don't require any unusual treatment.

Cant say foresure the exact name but here is a photo of them

found this:

This group includes Den. bigibbum, Den. phalaenopsis, Den. affine (syn. dicuphum), Den. canaliculatum and Den. undulatum (syn. discolor). During the summer and early fall growing season, water generously and regularly, but gradually reduce water in the fall and keep the plants on the dry side through the winter and early spring. Humidity is fairly high during the dry season, so the plants do need a little water, but allow them to dry thoroughly between occasional light waterings. Most of the common “den-phal” hybrids are in this group.

Den*phals can be allowed to dry, but shouldn't remain so for long periods.

Some Catt species may want a dryish period in winter, but I wouldn't expect most hybrids to.

There is "rest", and then there is "rest"...

Flowering is a pretty substantial consumption of energy for a plant, and many will take a break, apparently not growing at all for a period after blooming - a "rest", if you will - and then will begin a new growth cycle. Those should be kept watered, and may be fed, although they really don't need it until they restart growth.

Then there are plants that come from places having pretty distinct seasonal temperature and rainfall conditions, and those need a "severe rest" that includes absolutely no feeding until new growths emerge, or they will not bloom.

To the best of my knowledge, neither of your plants fits that second category.

Your dendrobium hybrid does not have rest period. Grow it warm and bright year around if you want it to grow and flower more often.

Slight cool winter will keep them from growing. Water much less during this cool season.

What kind of cattleya do you have?
Many cattleyas grow continuously, but there are some that have rest period.

The catt is belived to be a Blc Taiwan Ruby ..and the den is going back under the lighted warm area once all my flowers have dropped , i will cut back to once a week or less for watering them till i see some action happening . I imagine repotting is best at that time once flowers have dropped too . Just deciding what media to work with either spag moss combined with cedar bark , or somthing new . thats a whole nuther topic ..lol

Best time to repot is when there is new growth. I have my potted den-phal in coconut husk chips mix. Bark mix is certainly another option but will needs more frequent watering. Remember, if adding sphag to a mix, that the sphag breaks down more quickly than the bark, so fresh media is required more often.

I wouldn't let the Den be dry for extended periods.

My home is quite cool in winter and both my den-phals are growing ...