That is a GREAT question. I have a few myself and every time i start to water before the buds open, they abort and leaves start to grow.

What's worst is that when I hold back so long, the bulb will dry out and desicate in my gvery warm greehouse. I have no luck. So I can't wait to see what one should do.

I feel like this one needs to be tortured to a near death experience before it blooms in winter.

here is a link to Sunset Valley orchids, Fred Clarke is easily one of the most prominent grower of this type of plant and the link is to his website's growing instructions

https://www.sunsetvalleyorchids.com/htm/culture_catasetinae.html

Sunset Valley Orchids on fb or www.Sunsetvalleyorchids.com should help as Fred Clark has a culture sheet that is very detailed. I have a few and I pretty much follow with a few tweaks.

Thank you both. I have printed out the pages from sunsetvalley and will not water my orchid until it starts sending out new roots.

I id not see anything about watering during bud formation...Did you?

By the time I waited for new roots mine would desicate., especially when my greenhouse wsrm into the 80's and 90's by day with air movement.

from same link I posted above

"

Here's a summary:

• As the new growth develops wait to irrigate until the new roots are well-developed and are 3 to 5” long. (Don't be in a hurry to water; it is better to wait)
• Irrigate and fertilize frequently while the plants are in active growth.
• Stop fertilization and reduce irrigation by one-half around by mid November.
• Cease watering by the 1 st of January."

Hi all! I grow my orchids in a mix of spahgnum and orchid bark. I soak mine once every week and a half up to the rim for about 45 min or so. I want the spahgnum and the bark to absorb as much as they can. I don't care if it has a bloom stalk or not. If it is dry it gets it's soaking. Never have bud blast or other bad happen. I do back off just a little in winter but not much. Our house is incredibly dry so watering has to be done. My orchids are phalaenopsis (Moth orchids) and they seem to respond well to this treatment. In summer they go outside with the other houseplants. Wow do they respond nicely to that! I don't bring them in again until it gets around 45 degrees. They usually bloom about twice a year. And I wish I could say I fertilize on schedule,,,,not so much. But they do well and that is all I can ask for! Rosie

Rosie , what growing zone are you in ? In my area some of my orchids rot easily especially with a cold rain. Especially Phals.
Thanks for sharing. I like the soak methods.

I am in S'east Mi. Monroe Mi to be specific, about 20 minutes away from the Toledo, Ohio border. Maybe I should have explained a little better. My plants live on my east facing, roofed side porch AFTER the spring weather has stablized. They usually don't get rained on. I still have to water and my garden hose takes care of that!

But there is a dynamic that happens when my plants stay out for the spring/summer/most of fall. They just go crazy with great growth, blooming and recovery for being indoors all winter! I think that makes them survive the winter better.

The only plants that don't go out are the african violets. They are all on wicks. But when I only had a few violets (waaayyyy back in the day!) they summered outdoors also and wow did they do well. Nice sturdy growth and bloomed their fool heads off! Same with the Gesneriads!

Because the Phals are in their cover pots, they are easy to water, even on the porch. You should see the sturdy root growth that happens during the summer. AND they WILL put up bloom stalks! Yes,,,,,usually more than one!

Once in a great while the rain will come past the railing onto the porch and if that happens, I just check cover pots, make sure they get emptied in a timely fashion and there is no problem. Actually it is easier to care for everyone on the porch and water with the garden hose than a watering can during the winter! Even with the soak method!!!!

A cold rain? Well that would only happen in the summer and I am sure the plants love the "cool down" from the summer heat. (unless I don't understand what you mean by cold rain?)

Hope this gives you a little bit better view of how I do things. And no,,,,,I am not worried about bring in bugs. Every plant gets a soapy water bath followed by an alcohol wipe down before it comes in. Never had a problem. Well that's about it! Any questions??? Rosie

Congratulations on getting it to bloom!

That is a gorgeous flower! Congrats! Rosie