Which orchids in YOUR collection get a winter rest?

[Leisurely]

Den Bractescens
Den Lodigesii
Den parishii
Den (Nobiles)

And I quit right here because I was just thinking that there are different types of rest. There is a complete rest where you provide no culture and there is a partial rest where you might completely stop fertilizer but provide water in much lesser amounts than previously provided. A winter rest cannot be that generalized and might be very misleading to some people. Winter care depends on your individual growing conditions and the plant itself. For example: I have Den. Gatton 'Sunray' FCC/AOS. Beginning in mid November this plant gets no water until mid February. It usually stops growth around Oct. 1. From Oct. 1 to mid Nov., water is reduced from daily drenching to weekly sips. So maybe this needs to be changed to COMPLETE REST and PARTIAL REST.

[PitcherASAMD]

I've had orchids for several years but still feel I'm definitely a newbie. I have a phalenopsis and a catellaya. What does winter rest actually mean? When you say you treat them differently, what do you exactly mean by that? Should I be giving my orchids a winter rest?

Thanks

[Bayard]

Dendrobium: anosmum, densiflorum, lindleyi, thyrsiflorum. Habenaria: carnea, rhodocheila, medusae, Regnieri. Calanthe Grouville and rosea. Catasetum Pink Lemonade.

[kwarren]

I have several that I give a definite winter rest though some do not need a full 3 months. I let them go bone dry but I still mist them occasionally. The are:
Dendrobium aggregatum (keep cooler)
Dendrobium nobile (keep cooler)
Dendrobium Phalaenopsis (deciduous varieties. I water once a month in winter)
Oncidium splendidum (let go bone dry between waterings in winter)

[orchids44]

My Vandas, Phals and oncidiums get a semi-rest. The vandas are watered 1-2 week. Phals once every 2 wks unless they are showing signs of growth/spiking. Oncidiums drop to weekly. Most of them are misted on the outside of the container and saucer to increase humidity. I have a humidifier and try to keep our dry fall at 45 - 60% humidity.

[gngrhill]

Originally Posted by orchids44

My Vandas, Phals and oncidiums get a semi-rest. The vandas are watered 1-2 week. Phals once every 2 wks unless they are showing signs of growth/spiking. Oncidiums drop to weekly. Most of them are misted on the outside of the container and saucer to increase humidity. I have a humidifier and try to keep our dry fall at 45 - 60% humidity.

Most of my Phals are spiking so I wouldn't try to rest them

---------- Post added at 07:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:49 PM ----------

Maybe I missed it somewhere, but I have an abberans hybrid and it's the only one I haven't decided if it needs a rest or not.

[rochelle@58]

I only have one so far - Den Loddgesii(?) Hope this helps.
Barb

[DebsC]

Good subject!! I need to pilfer through the greenhouse and make a list.

Also, if you have species that require a rest...are you going to put them a part from the others so they don't get watered?

Where will you put them?

How long will they rest?

How do you know when they're ready to join the living again?

[orchitech]

There are three cattleyas that need a drastic reduction of water during the winter or the roots will rot in a heartbeat.
C. Acclandiae, C. Violacea, and C. Schilleriana.
I always have read that Dowiana roots will rot if watered in winter, but it is not my case. Those three along with Schrodera are more sensitive in my experience.

[cb977]

Thanks Deb

I have a rack set up in the corner of the room which gets very bright light. I use it for the chids year-round but when October arrives, it becomes the "winter rest" area so it doesn't get any overspray from the rest of the collection.

I keep a close eye on them starting in mid-January for signs of new growths and/or spikes