cynoches question

[tinny]

Hi all: I just got a Cynoches peruviana, it still has all of its leaves and a couple of buds that I don't think will make it (I got it bare root with the buds on it). I know it needs a completely dry winter rest, but do I wait until the leaves have fallen off first? Any other culture tips for this one would be most appreciated.

[twirly]

As far as I know, there are species, as cynoches is, which loses leaves as part of its natural cycle and not because of the owner's neglection...this dropping of leaves is a sort of dormancy helping them to pass over winter ...as your orchid still has bulbs I'm pretty sure that you shouldn't worry ...just wait for the passing of winter...

[kilo]

You wait until the leaves have fallen off, as well as the spike dying back. I've just learnt the hard way with my lehmanni that too little light whilst it's still in bud = death to spikes.
Therefore, plenty of light(as much as you can give it) and plenty of water whilst in active growth, be careful not to over water it though like you stated in another topc, less when the canes have fully matured and are producing spikes, same amount of light. They also like plenty of fertilizer

[jerrymeola]

many cycnoches only flower after dropping all its leaves so do not give up on its buds. It should not have been shipped bare root while in bud so you may lose the buds but pot it in a very loose mix and hope for the best.

It will look dead when it is ready for a winter rest. Then just no water or fertilizer until spring when you see new growth start to water and fertilize heavy, they grow very fast. I have left them in the pot but many remove the plant completely for the winter rest.

Check out the culture sheet on them from the American Orchid Society.
http://www.canadianorchidcongress.ca.../catasetu.html