Withhold water in Winter? - Orchid Board

Acharn · #1 11-30-2009, 07:11 AM

I've got a number of Dendrobiums and some Vandas. I'm fairly sure they are all either species native to Thailand or hybrids of Thai native species (I could be wrong about a couple of them being Thai natives, but they're Dendrobiums for sure).

I've seen many statements that Dendrobiums need a rest period in the Winter. We're now entering what Thais call the Cold Season, which is part of the longer Dry Season (next comes the Hot Season, starting about the middle of February, followed by the Rainy Season starting about May). My problem is that almost all my Dens are growing new stalks. If these plants were in the wild, they would get almost no water for about the next six months, but I don't feel comfortable not watering them at all. I've been watering and fertilizing them about once a week and misting them daily.

At this point I don't expect any of them to be blooming for me, but do the new stalks need more water than what I've been giving them? For people in more northern countries, our nights during the Cold Season average about 16-17C (62F) and days get up to 30-32C (86F). It can get much colder, but not very often at the altitude where I live.

cb977 · #2 11-30-2009, 08:48 AM

Hi

Not all Dens need a winter rest...can you provide us with names? That would help us to help you

Acharn · #3 11-30-2009, 07:42 PM

I haven't really been able to identify them for sure. The white one looks much like a picture I have of a hybrid that's called Dendrobium White Fairy. The second looks somewhat like another hybrid called Dendrobium Hiang Beauty. The third I haven't found a picture of and nobody named it in the Identification Forum.

Another member on the Board, who has a commercial orchid farm in Nonthaburi told me he waters and fertilizes his all year round. All of these look like like commercial flowers sold by the millions here every week, so it would make sense if they are hybrids selected to produce all year round.

cb977 · #4 11-30-2009, 08:36 PM

I would treat those beauties the same year round.
In general, I think, mostly it's some of the species that need to rest.

Lovely

quiltergal · #5 11-30-2009, 10:00 PM

Those types of Dens do not need any winter rest. There are many thousands of different species in the Dendrobium genus. Some of them need a dry cool winter rest and others don't. Yours appear to have quite a bit of Den. phalaeonopsis in them. Den. phalaeonopsis likes to be grown warm and bright year round with regular watering and feeding.

Acharn · #6 11-30-2009, 10:33 PM

That's helpful. I've ordered a book, Dendrobium and Its Relatives. I hope that will help me get a handle on what I've got, but I'm a little sorry all of mine seem to be hybrids, rather than species, so it's harder to find growing advice. The other main type I have are Vandas, but they're in all stages of growth. Several of them look like they're several years from blossoming.

johnblagg · #7 12-01-2009, 12:47 AM

I only have one den and its a noid ...but It is I believe a phal type den and evergreen.I have learned to just pay attention to what it is doing and follow its lead ....new leads keep watering and fertilizing new spikes keep watering and fertilizing ...

when it stops growing and goes semi dormant on its own reduce water.

I dont really know but I would say if its activly growing a new cane keep it supplied with water and food at least untill its finished that cane and if it makes new leads after that then untill it stops producing new leads.

Acharn · #8 12-01-2009, 01:34 AM

Yeah, that makes sense. I guess I was just fretting and wanted some reassurance I'm doing the right thing.