Did I kill my Dendrobium?

[AnitadeWaard]

Got this 'mystery' Dendrobium (tag was missing, was sold as 'unusual orchid') a month ago and first overwatered it (I think), then repotted it (there were some dark/rotting roots), then underwatered it (possibly) and now am back on a once a week watering schedule.

A number of canes are turning brown, next to the yellowing leaves (which I understand are normal) - and now I am afraid I killed it?? What to do next?

[OrchidBro]

Are those photos recent? Can you take a closer photo of the canes? I am trying to look at the photos closely but I don't really see any brown canes. I see one cane that has some yellowing leaves but that also looks like one of the older canes. The rest of the canes look pretty good to me, maybe a little bit shriveled for the most part but I don't see anything of concern. Just my opinion though and maybe I am missing something from the photos.

[Roberta]

With spring, new canes (with new roots) will no doubt appear. The existing canes have plenty of reserves for the new growth while it is growing those new roots. Dendrobiums are tough... Also don't cut the old canes - for many Dens, that's where the flowers appear (even if they look dead they aren't by a long shot)

[AnitadeWaard]

HI, sorry that took a while, here are some more pictures (I have no idea what to do not to make them appear sidewise!). Looking at the roots they seem mushy and brown for the stalks that have a black (ooph!) nib: these are rotted, perhaps? This has been pretty much the same the past few weeks: one green stalk, rest looking pretty sad. I water 1x a week now, southern exposure but not under lights. Should I stop watering? Repot just the living stalks? Wait till Spring? (and if so, keep watering?) Thank you O OrchidBoard in your infinite wisdom!

[Roberta]

Canes still look green and viable to me. I think you just have to be patient. Water lightly (let dry between waterings) and don't fertilize. Once you see the beginnings of new growth in spring you can increase watering and start fertilizing.

As for the sideways photos, it's a quirk of the Orchid Board software. The only thing that seems to work is to save phone photos to a PC, open in any photo editor, and re-save the file (with or without actually making any changes)

[AnitadeWaard]

Thank you again, Roberta ! Will keep my hopes up for the Dendrobium, and try the 'save to desktop' trick next time...

[Orchonubee]

"A number of canes are turning brown, next to the yellowing leaves (which I understand are normal) - and now I am afraid I killed it?? What to do next?"

Nothing! From what I can see, the plant is OK. Stop over watering. I cease watering in winter.