Dendrobium nobile in winter rest, now sprouting bud growth...

[78Terp]

I put my dendrobiums that require a winter rest in my semi-heated garage at the end of October. Some have been watered about once a week with plain water. My den nobile orchids are in that group.

Some canes have lost some leaves but some of the new canes from last season did not. And now on at least 2 canes, I have a whole bunch of nubs that I expect are the start of inflorescence. A member of Denver Orchid Society told me, when I bought one of them at their Spring sale last March 8, that it 'will never have as many buds as it does now coming from the nursery'. But I have to say, judging from what I see right now, that will not be the case. I have at least 2 canes covered with these nubs (at least in all the expected spots).

My question is,:
When do I resume normal watering for these nobiles (I live in semi-arid conditions and the air is extra dry during the winter. Routinely less than 15%) and start fertilizing again since these appear to be moving on with the new season? My expectation is/was to stay in winter rest until Valentine's Day. Which is still my intention with the rest of the dendrobiums resting.

[sddivey]

Hey Harvey- I have one nobile too and I read that once the nubs- inflorescences start that normal watering should begin to support the flowers. (not sure about the fertilizer) I also read that keeping the nobile in average light and a little cooler temp would help the flowers stay in bloom for a much longer time. I too am a "newbie" with the nobile, so we can compare notes.
On my nobile, the bottom nub, bloomed one flower and blasted the other bud, but going up the stem I have 5 other nubs, so I am hopeful. My nobile is very small, in a 2" pot. The cane that is blooming is attached almost like a keiki....not sure I am going to treat it that way. I will post a picture later today!
Dede

[78Terp]

I have maybe 30 nubs formed.

Looking forward to a nice bloom cycle!

[Wade's Orchids]

Sounds like you're on the right track. I would gradually increase watering and with it, increase the temperature. You probably know by now, Harvey, that if your plants stay around 50 degrees or less there is very little metabolic processes and a wet plant will stay wet a loooong time. You might want to keep watering at a minimum until new growth is up a couple inches. I have seen that happen when in flower, and I've seen the plant wait for a couple months to start growth. Your plants will guide you. I know you are very good at that. BTW, Merry Christmas to you and congrats on the nubs!!!

[78Terp]

I have watched the temps in my semi-heated garage go as low as 48 F and as high as 70 F. I have been aiming for 60 F average. There are 9 dens of different types at rest. 2 are a friends nobiles, who couldn't rest them herself.

My den superbum (1 species and 2 hybrids of) have not lost their leaves on the last season's growths. And that is with almost no water since November 1. My species superbum is hanging on the black stand on the right side in the pics.
Also pics of some of the nubs. One not too well focused on the cane with the nubs but you can still see them.

[cwcervantes]

It looks to me like you've given the plant the appropriate stress conditions to create flowers spikes in lieu of keikis. At this point, I'd think there would be no harm in watering more regularly to support the growth of the flower spikes/buds so long as the temperature is above 50 F.

I've had spikes like that just sort of stall and dry up on my D. nobile -- I didn't water at all and kept the plant outside in low temps and super bright light ...... my mistake!

[Wade's Orchids]

I think Cody is right, at least to a point. I would water lightly.... the plant is still what we'd consider to be dormant, but we don't want it to be so desiccated that it absorbs the buds.

[kdennis14]

I am so jealous.

[Yug]

As one poster above mentioned, once you see growth, gradually increase the watering until it is back on a regular schedule. The withholding of water in colder months is thought to increase bud formation.