Dendrobium Likes the Dark and No Water

[exponential]

Ok, everytime I go away for about a week, my Dendrobium does strange things.

This time, when I left I soaked it in water the night before and placed it above a pan of water. I set it inside the kitchen away from the window, which had the blinds closed, to make sure it didn't get too hot and dry out quickly.

All the windows were closed, so it probably got to about 75-80 with decent humidity and not much light. I was gone for 7 days, and when I came back, 2 - 4 inch flower spikes had grown with a 3rd just starting to come out of the stalks coming out of the stalks.

Last time this happened, it was one spike, and when I put it back into the south window and resumed a typical 3-4 water cycle, the stem turned yellow and died.

What should I do this time? It seems to like the dark with no water. Any suggestions?

[kmarch]

The spiking of a plant has more to do with the plant's growth and blooming cycle than it does sitting in the dark while you were on holiday. i don't think your holiday and the spiking of the plant are related.

i believe the blasted spike was probably due to a sudden change in conditions. We see this quite a bit when orchids in bud are brought home form the store.

This time around, if it is convenient, consider leavign the budding Den. on the table where it started budding.

[tom499]

I would 2nd that.

[sandra]

This reminds me of my recently spiked oncidium that I wanted to get rid of but didn't have the nerve to. The leaves were hanging, a bit chewed up from Lilly the cat (kept it on a shelf she was able to reach....before I knew better ) and almost ashamed to admit, I just didn't like the look of this straggely plant. I put it on a counter, one step closer to the garbage but again, in good conscience didn't have the nerve to dump it. Sitting there neglected and in poor light for about 2 weeks with no water, the plant took off with spiking and huge spikes at that. It went on to bloom incredibly beautiful flowers. Just goes to show you.....a watched kettle never boils? theory.