Den Nobile "Love Memory" growth

[AdeleDS]

About a year ago I got this Den Nobile "Love Memory". At that time it had just been repotted. The plant seems fine, even though last winter I didn't quite give it enough water. (I fell for the "don't water it in the winter" story). I was giving it regular feedings until April when I moved, and I have moved twice more since then, so it has had four different growing environments in the past year, and I lost my little bottle of orchid food so it hasn't had any fertilizer since April. Last winter the leaves didn't drop but I got 8 flowers in June.

I have two problems:
1. Basically, it hasn't grown at all. If you look at the picture of the smaller stalk, between the two leaves there is a darker green ball that is the only growth I've seen on that stalk, and it is about 3-4 mm (just over ⅛") long. The longer stalk has grown a stubby little leaf about ¼ the length of the others - and that leaf was already starting before I got the plant. So although the plant is hanging in there, I think it needs something it's not getting.

2. Do you see in the picture, the little white things that were part of the flowers? Do I take these things off the plant, or leave them on? They seem pretty sturdy.

Any suggestions? Right now it's sitting close to a south-facing window that doesn't get much light (cedar trees just outside), and the sun is much lower in the sky so I'm wondering what to do for winter care. I remember from last year that I wasn't supposed to fertilize it during the winter, but it hasn't had anything since April; should I find some more orchid fertilizer and give it a feed?

[estación seca]

It looks pretty good.

The white things are remnant dried bracts. You can remove them or leave them.

These tend to grow in early spring as days lengthen and it warms up. I wouldn't try to encourage new growth this late in the year. I agree with not fertilizing now. Water through the winter. Give it as much light as you can in winter. Spring flowering is triggered by winter nights below 55 F / 12C for 6 weeks. When buds are clearly visible on the stems (not keikiis, or new plantlets) begin fertilizing. New growth will follow.

[SADE2020]

I agreed with Estacion.

The baby nobile are slow and they tend to grow heavily in warmer month. They need more light, even light sun in winter.

[rbarata]

I'll add: reduce drastically the watering during late fall-winter.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by rbarata

I'll add: reduce drastically the watering during late fall-winter.

I live in a dry climate, and I learned (the hard way) to not be too drastic in reducing water. No fertilizer in winter, but they do need some water. What I have found to trigger blooming is a temperature drop. Mine, growing outside, get that naturally. It will be more of a challenge for you, but perhaps you can put the plant close to a window, which will be colder than the house. And also bright.. they also want lots of light in winter.

Thinking about the habitat for the species that are the ancestors of this hybrid... They get heavy rain, and cloud cover (so less light) in summer. In winter, there is little rain, but there is heavy morning dew so they do get some water. And with no rain, no clouds, so brighter light. And much cooler, especially at night. The closer you can get to these conditions, the more likely that you will get flowers in the spring.

[AdeleDS]

Thanks for the replies - they've all been very helpful. I think I know how to care for it now.