Dendrobium Spectabile Help

[bryanlevey]

Hi,

I have two dendrobium spectabile type orchids. I've read the threads where other people have asked for help with these, and I noted that they repeatedly say that they should not be fed from early autumn on. I first read the thread in October of 2013, so I was already a bit late but stopped feeding them pretty quickly, but continued watering regularly.
The question, which wasn't answered in the other threads, is when should feeding begin again? Should I wait six months? Should I continue not feeding them until they begin blooming? When should I restart so that I get good blooms?
I'm pretty enthusiastic about this, have about 90 orchids lining my window sills, with about 15 currently blooming and about another 15 or so spiking and getting ready to bloom, all different types. I was captivated by the pictures of these, which is why I bought two without having any idea what I was doing. Any help is appreciated.

Bryan

[Brooke]

I grow Den. spectabile and it is one that needs moisture year round. It doesn't get watered as often in the winter because the sun is weaker and daylight is for a shorter period but I never let it dry out totally.

I fertilize weakly weekly year round.

Brooke

[FSUOrchids]

I don't pull fertilizer from this and it works fine for me down here in South Florida.

It also doesn't need less water in winter, any more than other plants. It's not like some Dens that aren't supposed to get watered much at all in the winter.

I just make sure it gets high light, balanced fertilizer, and good humidity. Right now my Spectabile has three spikes on it with buds, so I guess I'm doing something right.

[bryanlevey]

Thanks for your help. Several other spectabile threads suggested not feeding over winter, but continuing to water normally. It said that the plants would have to be very large before they would flower if they were fed in winter, but that they would bloom smaller it feedings were withheld (but still lots of water). I don't know what advise to follow; one plant is 8 inches high and the other is about 2 feet high, both show new canes beginning around the base, but neither is spiking at all. I'm not sure if I should just begin feeding again or give it a bit more time. Any thoughts are appreciated.

[Brooke]

Originally Posted by bryanlevey

Thanks for your help. Several other spectabile threads suggested not feeding over winter, but continuing to water normally. It said that the plants would have to be very large before they would flower if they were fed in winter, but that they would bloom smaller it feedings were withheld (but still lots of water). I don't know what advise to follow; one plant is 8 inches high and the other is about 2 feet high, both show new canes beginning around the base, but neither is spiking at all. I'm not sure if I should just begin feeding again or give it a bit more time. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Den. spectabile (it is a species do not capitalize the S) needs to be "rather" large to bloom. I've never heard the advice of it blooming as a small plant if not fed. I think people are getting the different types of Dens mixed up.

Den spectabile does not want to dry out. You can fertilize it or not, if given the proper light and moisture it will bloom when it is big enough. I prefer to add the vitamins, which I call fertilizer, in small doses year round.

Brooke

[bballr4567]

If it has a new pbulb do not withhold feed from it.