Liz, You have to tell us which type of Dendrobium you have? Do they have name tags?

I don't recall seeing your earlier post but I can't imagine anyone here telling you that it was ok to keep them out until temps were close to freezing! So, that is your first thing not to do next year. Next, even though I don't think it was the fact that it was dark inside, relative to outside that did things in, it doesn't hurt to be prepared and have the lights ready when plants come in. I was with a friend buying plants at Plant King (Brooklyn, NY) last night and she kept asking me "what should I be doing to keep my plants looking like these"? I said to her: Do you see this store? Do you see how bright it is in here? Do you feel how warm it is? Do you feel how the air 'feels'? Make your living room look and 'feel' just like this room. If it doesn't and you can't (she is always complaining that she can't put up lights or get a humidifier because...) or won't fix it. Oh well, you have to work with it, but you will have problems. I'll help you with your problems but I won't understand why you are surprised to be having problems. This is the second major trip we have made to get plants. All the ones she bought the last time are dead. She insists that her mother was able to grow without lights, etc. so it has to be possible. Granted, the present situation is not identical but it has some similarities. I have said enough.

H

Could be any one of the reasons you mentioned depending on the type of Dend, but I would guess the drastic and rapid change in temp from outside to inside. That's not good for anything.

Kevin

In the O.P.'s Sept thread about bringing summering orchids indoors, it was mentioned that these are Phal-type Dendrobiums. I would never subject my Dendrobium phalaenopsis/bigibbum types to temperatures below 55F (13C) - they are warm-hot growers (scroll down to D. phalaenopsis/bigibbum section).

Dendrobium kingianum and nobile-types are a different story altogether - they tolerate, and in fact need, cold (but a bit above frost) spell to spike. alvin

Chip is right. Way too cold for them! Only the nobile type need cold and can tolerate it.

Get the plants warm and hope they pull through this. There's always next year!

Jane

Well, it was actually a speaker at the OSWP October meeting who told me he leaves his orchids outside in night temps in the high 30's. He said that as long as it is not below 35, the plants would do fine. They are phal type dendrobiums. So, next year, I will take them in when the temps at night are no lower than 55. I guess when I do, I need to make sure that the inside temp is as close to the outside temp and gradually warm things up. Also, I will have the lights up and running before the plants come in. This was my plan, but our school district decided to go on strike for 5 weeks, so my kids were home from mid-Oct to Mid-Nov and there was no way I could either foresee this or get the lights up with the kids home. Hopefully things will be better with the dendrobiums next year. My cattleyas look good and they were out in 39 degrees, too. I do see sheaths, so I guess they faired better in the cold. Now to see if they actually bloom (which will be the first year for me). I'm not perfect, gang, but I am much better and still willing to learn and listen to all of you- many thanks. I have no problem with oncidiums and phals anymore. They grow, they bloom. Even my big Paph. -- it's always in bloom, one sequential bloom after another. I am so proud, I wanted to take it to the Nov. OSWP meeting. Perhaps easy for all of you, but a big accomplishment for me. Thank you. Liz

Liz: As you know, the longer one leaves the orchids outdoors (subject to cooler weather), the greater the shock (and risk of blast) the plant experiences upon coming indoors. My orchids are transitioned indoors starting late September (first warm-hot growers, then intermediates). All my outdoor orchids are in by November 1, Zone 6 (Boston, coastal New England). I hope your phalaenopses were not outdoors in Zone 5 until now. Good luck next year! alvin

Thank you, Alvin. No, they cam in many weeks ago, but they did experience mid to high 30's at night. The plants look fine, the buds do not. At least I won't lose the plants and I'll look forward to next Fall. Liz

I know it's a bummer having this happen, but you have to look at it as one of those learning moments (don't you hate them?). We all have done stuff like this at one time or another, but it's one thing for someone to tell you about it and another thing to experience it first hand. You now officially know about bud blast. If you haven't had all the critter problems yet, you still have those to look forward to also. Aren't you excited?

Kevin

Yes, very excited. Can't wait for the critter problems! You are right, I did learn something new and I won't make this mistake again.