Dendrobrium Root Rot?

[Skycat]

It was planted in a mix of coconut bark and clay balls. It came that way from the Orchid Society meeting I went to last month. So I figured the grower probably knew what he was doing.

But I noticed recently that one cane (actually a separate plant) was rotten at the bottom. So I unpotted both of them, and here's how they look





The first one has some new canes starting to grow at the base; that seems like a good sign, right?

And the second one, is it possible to cut off above the rot and root it, like you would with a cactus?

[Optimist]

The root is old, it is not rotten. Put it into a mix of no larger than 1/2 inch bark in a fast draining pot. I prefer earthenware orchid pots with slots on the side. Put it in a fairly humid place, like on the soil in an established garden, and water every morning. Right now is the growth season. This is when you need to use optimum light, water, and etc.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Place in a humid area and keep warm. Maybe the one in the first pic will throw out keikis.

[Bud]

There is no root rot.
The first picture: the cane is fine and the roots are good.
On the second picture there is a mechanical damage on the cane it got bent into half of some sort by looking at the dark dead part. Better cut the dead part and clean it well. The one near the roots might still grow some basal keikis and the upper part might also produce keikis.

[Skycat]

So it's normal for the roots to turn that color? That's good. I was also sorta worried because they sort of squish like a sponge (which I forgot to mention in the OP, but I figured anyway that someone might've asked about that if they thought there might be a problem), but I'm not familiar at all with Den roots. Also I'm a little jumpy about rot right now because I'm already wrestling with rhizome rot on a pitcher plant. Real nasty stuff, that.

The second one is actually already growing something further up on the cane. It just looks like a tiny blob right now, though.

[Bud]

follow Philip's advice:

warmth, bright light and high humidity....
once you see the keiki grow roots up to three inches you just twist it and pot it.

[Optimist]

Dendrobiums seem to be quite easy to re- root, and re-establish. It takes several months. If you can give it warmth, light, plenty of water, some kelp and vitamins through the summer, the plant should come back.