D phal lost all its leaves - can it be saved??

[Klup]

I’m new to Dendrobium phal care, and have had this small plant for about a year. It’s in a shaded west-facing window and seemed to be doing ok, but as its new cane developed, the leaves on the old canes dried up and fell off the center leaf on the newest cane did the same, so I cut off the dried portion and treated the whole plant with physan 20. Seemed to be doing ok, but just lost its one remaining leaf on the newest cane. The canes aren’t mushy and I can see a couple good looking roots through the pot. It is chilly in the window, but my other D phal that I got at the same time is totally thriving. Help!?!

[Roberta]

Dendrobiums can surprise you! I don't consider them "dead" until shriveled and brown and haven't done anything for a year. That cane looks very much alive, so give it a chance - look for new growth in the spring.

[Ray]

That looks awfully dry to me.

[Klup]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Dendrobiums can surprise you! I don't consider them "dead" until shriveled and brown and haven't done anything for a year. That cane looks very much alive, so give it a chance - look for new growth in the spring.

Thanks - one cane is still green and firm. How often should I water? And do you think the cold temperatures might have been an issue? My other windows have much lower light, but I could try to move it

[Roberta]

Den-phals don't need or want a winter rest, so I'd suggest watering often enough for the medium to never go completely dry. Having the oldest cane shrivel is normal, and accelerated if there isn't enough water - old canes are the reserve for the plant to get it through the rough spot. You do want to water enough so that the newer ones doesn't shrivel, at least until there are a new one or two well established.

I learned (the hard way) that even Dendrobiums that DO take that winter rest don't want to go completely dry - for those, in nature they don't get much rain in in winter but do get morning dew, they don't live in a desert. Den-phal types come from more tropical areas where they get rain pretty much all year.

Cold might have accelerated the leaf loss, but "dry" was probably the bigger factor... if it was in the house, it didn't get all THAT cold. But with no leaves, light is likely not so important right now, if you have a warmer spot, likely worth moving it, again since this type of Dendrobium is tropical and likely will appreciate a bit of warmth. And don't cut anything! Let it draw energy from the older p-bulbs. When an old p-bulb is completely spent (thin and light brown) it can be trimmed, but don't risk cutting something that the plant is using.

[Klup]

Thank you!! Glad there is hope ☺️

[estación seca]

How cold is cold? Put a thermometer next to it on the windowsill. I lived there, it gets too cold for Den phals next to a chilly old window.