Dendrobium kingianum dead or alive

[iloveorchids88]

My dendrobium has been like this for almost 10 months. The only thing that seems alive are those roots near the top. Otherwise no new growth of any kind.

[DrDawn]

Can you give us more details? Was it like this when you received it? Was it happy until 10 months ago? What conditions are you keeping it in? (water/light/fertilizer)

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by iloveorchids88

My dendrobium has been like this for almost 10 months. The only thing that seems alive are those roots near the top. Otherwise no new growth of any kind.

Do those roots turn green when you spray some water on them?

The plant in general looks totally dried out - it doesn't appear to be alive at all.

[iloveorchids88]

When I got it it was in good shape. Leaves green and lots of new growth. I was watering it weekly and fertilizing with 20-20-20 once a month. Things started to get bad during winter. I winterized the plant (i.e. Withheld water from late oct to about feb - an occasional misting or light watering). It seems as though the plant did not survive the winter. I live in the Northeast and would leave the orchid outside or in my unseated garage overnight. I would bring it back in if overnight temps went below freezing.

---------- Post added at 05:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:10 PM ----------

Originally Posted by SouthPark

Do those roots turn green when you spray some water on them?

The plant in general looks totally dried out - it doesn't appear to be alive at all.

Roots don't turn green when sprayed with water

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[SouthPark]

ILC ------ thanks for mentioning that the roots don't turn green.

That orchid is very very likely not alive. It has dried right out. If you like that sort of dendrobium, then don't be afraid to purchase another one.

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You can still use bark or bark mix in the future. Just remember that very dry bark repels water. So very dry bark usually requires some preparation or some water soaking (before potting an orchid into it).

[Roberta]

I think that one is deceased... When you get another, consider not being so aggressive about drying out. Other than the somewhat reduced water that everything in my yard gets because things don't dry out as fast when it's cool, my Den. kingianums get watered - no special treatment. These are quite cold-tolerant but you may have pushed it too hard. Suggestion... if you get another, once the nights start to head for freezing, bring it in , place near a window where it can get good light and it's cool but not frosty. (Low 40's F near the glass should be fine) Generally orchids don't like a lot of moving-around. So try to identify places where you can winter your orchids for the duration.

[iloveorchids88]

Thanks for everyone's imput. I had a feeling it was a goner. Just wanted to make sure before I chuck it.

[neophyte]

Like Roberta said, these don't need a real dry period, but if you want to cut down on watering, you may consider growing these in a sphag mix, since that holds water longer (bark dries out much, much quicker).

[aliceinwl]

I agree it’s dead.

I still haven’t figured out how to get mine to bloom well. I tried drying mine out this winter, the plant made it okay but rather than a few flowers I got no flowers. It is pushing lots of keikis now, which is not something that it’s done in the past.

[Roberta]

Mine bloom, not as well as some that I have seen. I do have them in an area that especially in winter doesn't get much sun. (In summer they appreciate a little shading, they tend to toast if too bright and hot) I suspect that ideally, they'd like more winter sun. At my house, they get what they get. (Blooming of Den. speciosum is much better and more reliable... and Den. Specio-kingianuim, or x-delicatum, is also very good)