blooms in winter

[c.whitcomb]

As we have just passed the Solstice, I have 3 orchids in bloom right now, a denobrium (a den-phal i think) and a cattelya which are in spike. it seemed odd to me that they would bloom so close to the days with the least sunlight, especially as at this latitude in wisconsin, the days are quite short right now. I was expecting spikes as the days grow longer in spring, and i wonder if the low light levels effected blooming time? or is it simply that mature leaves and canes tend to produce spikes no matter what time of year?

-colin

[tom499]

From my knowledge (I'm on a steep learning curve ) Cattleyas dont really obey the seasons, as in, they grow all year, so as long as there is enough warmth and light they will grow like normal and flower when growths are mature.

As for the Dens, I've had some of mine just finishing their flowers now. Its been a mild autumn and quite a mild winter here, and if its the same for you it may upset them abit.

I've heard many others talk of odd flowering times. Its not a major worry, just dont fertilise and we should have flowers as normal in spring

[kmarch]

Dear c.whitcomb,

It's not odd at all that you'd have cattleyas and dendrobiums in spike now. Both cattleyas (most ones that I know of - all of the ones I grow) and dendrobiums (many hybrids and a lot of species - and again all of the dendrobiums that I grow) are all winter bloomers. My cattleyas, especially bloom not in late winter or spring but in the beginning/middle of winter, December/January in the Norther Hemisphere, June/July in the Southern Hemisphere.

I don't grow many Dendrobiums, some Aussie native hybrids, kingianum, tetragonum, chrysotoxum. Of these, the chrysotoxum was the latest, blooming in November (late spring). The others bloomed in winter.

[Tommyr]

My dens always bloom this time of year. My Oncs. too.

[mayres]

Yep - me too! Lots of orchids blooming this time of year - catts, dends, oncs, intergenerics, paphs, and phals mostly in spike! Wheeeeeeee!

[Nancy]

Don't you think there is some response to day length? In my experience, depending on the species that make up the hybrid, some of my catts sit around without doing anything for three or four months. Then they start to grow. In fact, I think it's good to know the parentage of your hybrid to know what to expect from it. Could be I just haven't perfected my growing yet. I hope you all will delight us with photos of your plants.