Dendrobium unknown species and unknown care requirements

[Bobits]

Hi everyone, I've already received a lot of great help regarding another plant of mine so thought I'd pick your collective brains on this one... Unfortunately, when I bought it a couple years ago, it wasn't flowered and I have no idea what it looked like in bloom. All I know is what you see here...





I've photographed the barcode in case #4 meant anything which I doubted.

For the first while, there were several distinct spikes (no leaves) that eventually died off. I occasionally got a new spike that would grow leaves but these were really thin. It had very thin and dry looking roots that formed a cool around the top of the potting mixture (bark).

I understood that these types of orchids do not require as much water... I'm starting to think that I was oh so wrong :-(

Like my other orchids, it was repotted recently and the condition deteriorated (two more stems turned yellow). I cut these off. Should I have treated these somehow?

I do not have any new root growth above the service. I am scared to look beneath the potting mixture as I see zero signs of growth elsewhere.

Is there anyway to save this plant? I am very keen to one day see the flowes on this little guy... :-)

Any advice?

[WhiteRabbit]

Most Dens like to be slightly moist. This looks like a nobile type, and they do want to be rather dry in winter, but not while they are growing.

Pot it small in some media that retains some moisture but drains well - small fir bark mix, chc, or sphag. Water when nearly dry. Warmth and humidity may help.

The winter rest is necessary for blooming. Since yours is not in shape to bloom, do NOT give it the "rest". Let it get nearly dry, or dry, but not remaining dry long, over winter.

These typically start new growth in spring; perhaps keeping it warm and not drying out excessively, it MAY start new growth before then

I don't know if it can be saved, but it's not completely dead, so it's worth a try.

[Bobits]

Thanks so much white rabbit :-)

I will try all your suggestions. In order to keep the humidity up, should I mist it and of so how often?

[Bobits]

How often should I fertilize?

[WhiteRabbit]

If there are no good roots, misting may help, just make sure the potting media doesn't stay too wet from it. Also, if there are no roots, it can't take up fertilizer, so it isn't necessary - but if there are roots, I'd fertilize normally.

If there are no roots, you MIGHT try sphag and bag, or similar. I've not had good results from bagging, but have from placing rootless orchids in a small fishtank or "critter keeper" to help keep up the humidity. You can place a small wad of sphag or a damp towel in the tank. In one instance, I put an inch or so of damp peat moss in the bottom if the tank, a layer of pebbles on top of that. I didn't close the tank entirely in either case - put the top on leaving a small opening for fresh air. Neither time was a Den, so hard for me to say specifically for them. But Dens can be very resilient!

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[Bobits]

Should I take it out of the bark again and see what is going on with the roots now I wonder?

[WhiteRabbit]

I don't know ...
You could, and put it in a smaller pot (if you have one) at the same time ...

[Wynn Dee13]

I'm not sure you should unpot it again. If it is growing some roots it will just disturb it and set it back.

[Bobits]

I still haven't "unpotted". I am watching and waiting. I am trying he increased humidity via misting and watching my chopstick very closely to make sure I am not leaving it dry.

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[Bobits]

It did not survive. I took it to a nursery to purchase a smaller pot and the kind lady said my plant was dead..... :_-(