I don't think you need to be strick with the dry rest, if it's growing I would water it normally.

Mine has flowered as early as March and as late as July so I don't think they are fussy about seasons.

Thanks, James. I was getting concerned about not watering as the new growth is coming along. I just noticed new growth on my Dendrobium chrysotoxum also. I will gradually start watering it too. One day I will get a handle of winter rest across all my dendrobiums.

if the plant is growing new leads it needs water and food... My farmeri were given benign neglect and fed heavy when growing (n south Florida) and did really well. I grew mine in semi hydro and never repotted them for 6-7 years...

compare an early blooming

http://forum.theorchidsource.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/183726/Re_Den_farmeri_var_pink.html

Thanks for the advice Ben. Your farmeri is gorgeous! If mine were to bloom half as well I would be jumping for joy. I am guessing you grew it outside most of the year in South Florida. So did it receive cool fall/winter temperatures?

Yes Darlene, I grew all my plants n my greenhouses n my backyard, in broward county South Florida. In retrospect, I did grow some really spectacular plants. This farmeri grew much bigger than the photo posted. If I find a photo of last bloom, I will post it. I really like farmeri and several other asian den species that have similar culture requirements. One of the main culture requirements is that they do no like frequent repotting. This plant is in semihydro pot with aliflor and has been in it for 8 years