Here is a seasonal care calendar from our perspective, designed to help you understand our needs as we progress through our natural growth cycle.
As daylight intensifies and temperatures consistently warm, we sense it is time to awaken from our winter rest. This is our most active growth period. You will notice new green root tips emerging from our base and small, pointed growths (called "leads") beginning to develop. This is when our thirst and hunger are greatest. Please begin watering us more frequently, allowing the potting mix to approach dryness but not remain bone-dry for long. Commence a regular feeding schedule with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to fuel our rapid development of new canes (pseudobulbs) and leaves.
Our new growths are now rapidly elongating and maturing into full-sized canes. Our energy is focused on building strong, sturdy pseudobulbs that will serve as our water and nutrient reservoirs for the future. While we appreciate the warmth, some of us (particularly the deciduous types) need protection from the most intense, scorching afternoon sun to prevent leaf burn. Continue with consistent watering and feeding. As our new canes fully mature towards the end of summer, you may notice small flower spikes beginning to form at the nodes of our leaves. This is a critical time; please do not suddenly stop watering or feeding us yet.
The shortening days and cooler nights are our signal to begin slowing down. Our growth activity ceases as our new canes have now fully hardened. For many deciduous Dendrobium species, this is when we prepare for dormancy by drawing energy back into our canes and naturally shedding our leaves. This is perfectly normal, so do not be alarmed. You should gradually reduce the frequency of watering and completely cease fertilization. The key is to provide us with a distinct drop in nighttime temperatures, which is the crucial environmental trigger for initiating our flower spike development.
This is our period of vital rest. We require significantly less water now; for deciduous types, an occasional misting to prevent our canes from shriveling excessively is often sufficient. Evergreen types still need occasional, sparse watering. Most importantly, we need cooler and drier conditions. Please keep us in a bright location but protect us from cold drafts. This cool, dry rest period is not a punishment; it is the absolute prerequisite for our spectacular spring bloom. If we are kept warm and wet during this time, we may stubbornly refuse to flower and instead produce vegetative growths (keikis). When our flower spikes emerge and buds develop, you can gradually resume light watering.
