I have recently got a few dendrobium that are nobile type or types that benefit from a winter rest. I have never done this before. Any advice? Thinking of putting them in garage when it’s cooler with a nice grow light. How do you guys give your a winter rest?
Is there a simple way to tell which need it? I know most species and stuff is easy to find out, but what about the hybrids? Majority of my hybrids are antelope types which I have read do not need it.
Dendrobium Fancy Pink Stripe
Dendrobium ‘Dragon Fly’ Variegated
Dendrobium aggregatum
Dendrobium Boonchu Gold
Dendrobium Burana Emerald #3
Dendrobium Ceraula
Dendrobium Christyanum
Dendrobium Love Memory ‘Fizz’
Dendrobium Mirco Chip
Dendrobium Purple
Dendrobium Royal Chip
by joshsblooms
2 Comments
Wow!
a good rule of thumb is that when the orchid isn’t doing much, it doesn’t need much. So when the days get shorter and the temperatures get colder, a lot of these orchids will slow down and kind of go dormant. So if you keep watering as per usual, that water just sits in the pot and the roots will rot. Some techniques that you can use: water less often, give smaller amounts of water, and water just around the edges (keep the center dry).
Let the orchid tell you what it needs especially since they just moved to a new environment. If it’s just sitting in a pot doing nothing, then just give it enough water to keep it from shriveling. If it’s making new growths or flower buds, give it some water and feed.
General rule of thumb: Phalaenopsis types, Antelope (Spatulata) types, and Latouria types don’t really need a dry rest. So your D. aggregatum, D. ceraula, and D. christyanum DO need a rest, not sure about the hybrids.
NOTE: many dendrobiums are deciduous or semi-deciduous so dropping leaves is totally normal especially in the Fall. Also, many deciduous dens like your nobile types want MORE light in winter than during the summer.