Winter time dormancy

[Apteryx]

Some orchids need shorter days and less water/fertilizer when they enter a dormant phase in the winter. Others continue to need 14-16 hours of light and regular watering. Any hints on which orchids need which treatment, or is there a good book on this out there?

[Stelios]

a culture book could help on general culture and an encyclopedia could help as well. For common hybrids e.g. phals, dens, cats etc. i found many threads of advice on orchidgeeks and also on culture books. For species, when a member grows the same plant can provide some advice as well, however what i found useful was to research on each plant. So i check on my encyclopedia if there are cultural advices (most times are not unless the plant is somehow demanding or in need of resting period) and where the plant originally comes from. For example for a plant coming from an area with monsoons it would be great to have a lot of water in the summer and drier winter etc.

An illustrated encyclopedia on orchids should be a great reference book. I have one and ordered a most recent one but i am still waiting for it to be delivered.

[berniep]

G'Day Apteryx

Welcome to the forum, and as a newbie I found the most useful info was usually on the local orchid societies and growers websites as they can tell you what best suits your plants to grow them locally.
Apart from that if you do a search on this forum for individual orchids most of our faqs have been answered by the knowledgeable growers on this site.

Cheers
Bernie