I think Dendrobium Jenkensii is one of those orchids rated as difficult while Hybrids with unicum in the breeding need nobile conditions.

Pics can lead lead us humble orchid growers astray into those realms of the difficult. My discussions with the owner of the plant revealed " that she never kept it bone dry in winter". Similar comments from a specialist nobile grower
This bone dry stuff is overdone. drier and cooler in winter might be appropriate.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dendrobium jenkensii

High Whitecat! Arthur, what a beautiful plant.

Jane

I have had a Den. jenkensii for 3-4 years. It has never bloomed. I was told to keep it "cool and dry" for the Winter, which I did. Nothing.

I don't think mine will ever bloom. I tinks it is moving closer to the trash can . . . . . .

Arthur, lovely plant.

Well, next winter I won't fix what ain't broke, although the unicum, which is potted, has done well going dry during previous winters. My mounted plants are dry just existing in the low humidity.

As for cool, mine is in the warmer orchid spot - 62F minimum at night. Maybe it would have done better in the 57F minimum spot.

Patrick, before you pitch yours, you might give it a winter of cool but not dry. That is, if you can stand to look at it till then. :)

Thanks

I have said before that real orchid growers live in the frozen north. I think the Dendrobium jenkensii would appreciate temps more like something in the 40 to 50F range winter nights...but i do not really know, never been tempted to try it because of the reputation.
Easy for me to achieve these temps, just put the plant outside in the shade-house and nature does the rest, but what do you do if there is ice and snow outside?

Arthur, you inspired me to look for the recommended minimum temp for the jenkinsii. I never heard the plant was difficult, so I waltzed on ahead. Plus a year ago, I thought this plant had died from weeks of severe underwatering in low humidity. Richard advised me on its care via his Backbulb forum. Thanks again, Richard!

Well, it was the minimum tempS, everything from
* 73F in Puerto Rico, average winter low to
* the 50s F at least, with the plants being quite tolerant of 40s F and brief periods at or near freezing, Marble Branch Farms, S Carolina

The data:
- Moderately warm http://www.orchidwubben.com/
- Intermediate-Warm, orchids.com - Norman's
- Oct. - March, average lows 75 - 71F, Puerto Rico (successful individual grower)
- average winter low in my area is mid to upper 60's, Miami, FL (successful individual grower)
- move it in Nov. to a cooler position where it goes down to about 14c (57F) at night (successful individual greenhouse grower)
- cool dry rest from Nov - Feb.; MIN TEMPERATURE 13C/55F, Orchidspecies.co.uk
- night time temperatures near 50, Seagrove Orchids, NC
- winter temp minimum of 6C/43F, Taipei (successful individual grower)
- night temperatures need to fall into the 50's at least, with the plants being quite tolerant of 40's and even brief periods at or near freezing, Marble Branch Farms, SC

And "Care of Dendrobiums orchids kept in the heat all year without resting period," Minimum night time temperature of 61F to 68F (16c to 20c), Orchibloom.com

Recommended resting periods ranged from October to December, lasting till February or March.

Once again, orchids tolerate our inconsistencies.

And, WhiteCat8, you can add down into the high 30s and low 40s F here in coastal California where I keep mine outside.
Hope it will flower this year?????

T-man - wow, who knew your place & SC would have similar temps? Who knew *SC* would have them? I've been out of the South too long - starting to get those weather stereotypes. :)

Yes, here's to yours flowering. Has it bloomed before?

Where are you in CA, if I may ask?