Dendrobium growth question
 

Hello all!!
Here's my question! I'm new to the whole growing thing, and haven't had any of my orchids long enough to know much about what they need during the different seasons. I have 3 dens, two seedlings (macrophyllum and spectable), and one mature plant that I just bought (chao praya frarance). I was just advised by a growing friend that dens need a resting period in the winter to bloom. Up til now, I've been watering and feeding my two seedlings regularly, almost daily becuase they dry out so quickly. Is this wrong?? I don't want them to dry out and die (which I feel they might if I went more than 3 days without watering them), but shouldn't get them on some sort of schedule with the seasons? Both the seedlings have been growing really well. One has a new pseudobulb that's almost complete, and the other, which had a lot of dead roots before has grown a ton of new roots, and looks to be about to start two new speudobulbs. Should I stop watering them like I have been if they are growing so well? I know that in order for them too bloom they must get that drying out period, but these seedlings aren't going to be blooming for a few years. What do you think?? Am I worrying to much?? LOL!
Thanks for any help you can offer!!

Hello :)

Dendrobiums fall into a wide range of categories (see dendrobium section on these forums for more info), some which come from warm year-long conditions, whereas others come from seasonal areas. Your species are both latouria dendrobiums from Australia and New Guinea. I have dismal success with them (I should try again because they're beautiful) but I've been told that they should be a bit drier and cooler in the winter compared to the summer. If your seedlings are putting out new pbulbs though, I wouldn't stop doing what you're doing (listen to the plant!) Your hybrid is a phal-type, which can be grown warm all year around.

Your friend may have been thinking of the nobiles which (some people say) enjoy a cooling in the winter.

Enjoy! :D

I learned on here that if its growing it needs food. Makes sense, if there is no growth then just watering it will do

None in the Latouria section need a winter rest, neither do the Phal types. Keep doing what you're doing.

Even if they were plants that require a winter rest if they are only seedlings I would continue to water and feed. You want the plant to gain strength and vigor first before expecting it to bloom. The babies need to grow up a little first before resting them. ;)