ORGANIZATION - HOW DO YOU DO WINTER REST?

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Ok guys, so I went little bit overboard this summer, and bought many many many orchids, probably over 30 new ones, lot of Dendrobiums, that I absolutely adore, but was not successful with the few I had by now, cause never did give proper winter rest:-) So, many has seen maybe my balcony, those who did not, see pics. I would live to read your brains on How to get organized with winter rest. My issue is, I really can't reorganize and move the ones that need winter rest to one section and keep the rest elsewhere, my balcony is limited with the different parts suitable for different orchids, the orchid hanging wall is pretty much in the shade all the time, so it is for all low light babies, than on thee railings are bulbo's, some cattleyas, few phals, and in the right SUN corner are all that need lot of sunshine, either direct or filtered under sun cloth. I have probably 10 different dendrobiums - most of them requires winter rest -, as well as one catasetum. I am just trying t figure out how to be BEST organized and have it somehow under control:-) What do you do, if you have small space like me and no chance to MOVE the ones needed winter rest to one space together?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Avoid watering the ones that need winter rest, idk?

Just water the ones that need it, and don't water the ones that don't. Instead of using a hose and hosing them down, grab a bucket and water individually.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

I do water everything by hand, either with pressured bottle or soaking in the bucket, depends on the orchid, so no hose at the balcony:-) I will have to just mark somehow the ones needed rest so I won't forget, I have over 70 orchids there so it is crowded and confusing little bit:-)

[Island Girl]

You know those little sticky-dots you can find at Staples
(or the grocery store/Walgreens), they come in 3 colors, all in the pack, & I use those to mark certain orchids for disease/insect watch, new bud/inflorence watch, ones that desperately need a repot, etc. Or, you could buy a few different colors of the plastic plant tags, (the ones you write the orchid's name on) they come in so many colors, and just color-code the ones that need a "rest" & the ones that don't.

I like the plastic tags for something that will be in the pot for awhile, but I use the paper sticky dots (sorry, don't remember what they're called), for repotting time, when certain orchids are good (no need to repot) I use the green, otherwise, I use the pink for the ones that desperately need a repot, and the orange for ones that can wait a bit longer than the former group.

Kelly's Korner orchid supply has some, if your local supply places don't.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Thanks so much, this will work, I will go for plastic tags just because even the fact I won't be watering those in need of inter rest, I will be still watering around and would be scared they will get soaked and peel off, however, I will need to mark those that need the winter rest, than those where I have to look for the first buds or growths also:-) Thanks so much Island girl, it is pretty crowded at the balcony, so I must have some kind of the organization for the winter time:-)))

---------- Post added at 11:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:00 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Ray

Also keep in mind that "winter rest" is not a matter of not watering, it is a matter of not providing any nitrogen.


Ray Barkalow
Sent using Tapatalk

Hi Ray
now I am little confused, because nearly every single page says for most of my Dendrobiums to STOP fertilizing around october, and than withheld water nearly completely from the end ov november till the buds/spikes arise, water ONLY when severe shrinking appears?????? This is what is really driving me nuts, I didn't do any proper winter rest before, and I did not have one bud on any dendrobium, I want to make it right, but some people say still water at least once a week, some say only mist from time to time, and most say no water only when shrinking appears?????? I really do need some clear explanation, I do understand this apply also to my one catasetum, meaning NO WATER till new growth appears?

---------- Post added at 12:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:04 AM ----------

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Sometimes.

There are orchids that don't even do well when they are watered during dormancy, even if they are not fertilized. These include some Dendrobiums.

Hi King
and many thanks for your intel. now, I need really to get to the bottom of this, 'cause it drives me crazy. I do assume you are familiar with Dendrobiums and which one NEED winter rest, what's more, which one SHOULD BE really kept dry (like no water at all except when severe shriveling of the canes appears)??? Please, HELP. I need to know what to do with my Dends during this winter here in Florida, I really really wanna make it right to make them finally and for the first time bloom. So far, I know I screw up last winter because my Dends have instead of blooms like crazy dozens of keikis on the old canes = bad winter rest, so blooms form into keikis:-( So this is my Dendrobium List, please whoever knows, help me with details what to do with each of them, group them into NO WATER AT ALL, maybe another group LITTLE WATER, and than water through out the year:
NOBILE HYBRID
AGGREGATUM
ANOSMUM
GOLDSCHMIDTIANUM
BRACTEOSUM
DOCKRILLIA
GATTON SUNRAY
UNICUM
HETEROCARPUM
PARISHII
JAQUELYN THOMAS
KINGIANUM

So, WHICH of these need proper total winter rest, water ONLY when I see they shrivel too much, which one should have LIMITED watering (less than summer, but still water during winter), which one should be watered as regular when needed??? I do know Dockrillia is all year watered and mine is doing great for years, also I did water Jaquelyn Thomas during the winter, it never looses leaves and it is blooming every year, but the rest is mystery to me???? Some of them are very small and mounted, like mine PARISHII OR UNICUM AND AGGREGATUM, the rest are nice big plants. MANY MANY THANKS to anyone who will finally explain and clear this to me:-) (and others I guess as well)

[MattWoelfsen]

That is a good idea Island Girl! That is a very inexpensive way to identify winter rest orchids. Thank you!

[Ray]

Also keep in mind that "winter rest" is not a matter of not watering, it is a matter of not providing any nitrogen.


Ray Barkalow
Sent using Tapatalk

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Ray

Also keep in mind that "winter rest" is not a matter of not watering, it is a matter of not providing any nitrogen.


Ray Barkalow
Sent using Tapatalk

Sometimes.

There are orchids that don't even do well when they are watered during dormancy, even if they are not fertilized. These include some Dendrobiums.

[HighSeas]

Hi everyone! Just wondering...which orchids do you provide a "winter rest" for?

I've always taken the "winter rest" as the time in which you don't fertilize and water a bit less in terms of keeping the plant a bit on the dry side.

I tend to apply that rule to those in my collection that have little to no active growth in the winter months. But while I was thinking about it, I realized that I have no hard rules for any particular species or hybrid. This is what prompts me to ask...Which ones in your collection have that winter rest? Thank you bunches!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by HighSeas

Hi everyone! Just wondering...which orchids do you provide a "winter rest" for?

I've always taken the "winter rest" as the time in which you don't fertilize and water a bit less in terms of keeping the plant a bit on the dry side.

I tend to apply that rule to those in my collection that have little to no active growth in the winter months. But while I was thinking about it, I realized that I have no hard rules for any particular species or hybrid. This is what prompts me to ask...Which ones in your collection have that winter rest? Thank you bunches!

You mean a completely dry winter rest and no fertilization?

A great example for one, (and I'm not the only one who experienced this, btw), is Dendrobium harveyanum.

Read Marni Turkel's account of growing Dendrobium harveyanum. I had a similar experience.