Dendrobium rest period

[fbashplant]

I have been caring for a rescue dendrobium for about three years. About a year ago it began to exibit vigorous growth and produced three new canes. The end of August this year it developed seven spikes and is now in full bloom. My question is since it is now Dec 1, when does it enter its winter rest period as it might be blooming thru December and how long should it rest? I understand that it should receive minimum water (once a week?) and no fertilizer during this time. I suppose after its finished resting it will produce new growth and hopefully flower again. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks all.

[kiwiorchids]

Once a week is still too much-i have a nobile that has survived one once a month! You're in the states? I think about now would be the time to start, and then as soon as new growth activity starts, go for it! Start with a light growth inducer fertliser (high Phosphorus i think), and then after a about two months, switch to a light tomato fertiliser, these are high in potassium and are cheap! Either that or water with one or two grains of Potassium Permanganate (potash) dissolved in abotu a litre or two of water. One grain is usually enough for 1.5L

[catttan]

Great display by your dedrobium. This is a hard cane dendrobe and there is no rest period for this type of dendrobe unlike the soft cane types. Treat it as you have been doing for the last 3 years. You have been doing very doing well so far and I see no need to change the routine.

[fbashplant]

Thanks for the info. I have been using a high nitrogen 20-14-13 product for growth mixed 1/2 tea spoon per gallon of rain water, and when it went into bud I switched to high phosphate 11-35-15 also mixted half strength. I have been told to stop fertilizing for a time after blooming and until new growth begins. Would you concur with that? Also what about leaching the root system/potting medium. It is in a six inch clay pot inside the decorative pot and the roots are really jam packed. What about repotting? Would that be recomended after the blooming is finished? Thanks again. Fred

[rosie]

Beautiful white blooms. Love it.

[catttan]

Fertilising depends on growing conditions, and I can only tell you what I do under our tropical conditions, growing outdoors under shade cloth 24/7. Being basically lazy, I fertilise weakly weekly (3 times with balanced fertiliser followed by once with lower N). The advice given to you, by locals I presume, should be OK. As for for leaching, periodic leaching especially for clay pots may be a good idea. Clay pots being porous tend to absorb and retain salts through evaporation - a reason I have switched to plastic pots; the other reason being they are more expensive.

As for repotting, I normally repot when the plants threaten to walk out of the pot, i.e. when the new growth has reached the edge of the pot.

[otis226]

A really beautiful display! I agree, that if you've been growing this one for 3 yrs. just continue doing what you've been doing. Wish I had ANY Dend that looked this good.
Cheers,
Tony

[orcoholic]

Beautiful bloom. Repot after it's done blooming. This type of Den does not require a dry period, but they do like to dry out completely between waterings.

[fbashplant]

Thanks Michael. I plan to repot it after it's finished blooming. There is actually a small dend. in the pot with the larger one. It produced only six blossoms but if I separate it maybe it will enjoy more space to grow. At least that is my hope. What kind of watering/feeding should it get after repotting? Thanks again.

[orchids^_^]

7!? spikes!! oh my, nice rescue!! love the blooms. And yes, they do need a winter rest, no feeding and I water mine every 2 and a half week (Dry in Colorado.)
Alex