Is My Den. Moniliforme Dead?

[c123anderson]

I’ve been meaning to ask this question but too embarrassed to do so. But, I would love to gain some wisdom while not killing my plant (if it’s not already dead).

I have a Den. moniliforme that looks sad. I can post pictures, but, again, I’m pretty embarrassed. When I say “sad”, the canes all look shriveled and have sort of withered.

Why am I asking “if” it’s dead? There’s still a little tiny tiny bit of color.

So, does anyone have any advice, going into winter here, of how to tell moniliforme health? I have another that looks happier, but it is losing its leaves as part of winter.

Thank you for any advice. I really hate to tear out the plant in a weakened state if it’s still viable. And, yes, I know, pictures would help. Please don’t just reply that pics would help.

[estación seca]

Is it potted? In what? When was it last repotted?

What are your temperatures day/night and relative humidity? What kind of light did it get?

Did it make new growth this season? How did that go?

[c123anderson]

All great questions.

I got it in July/August 2022. Initially I neglected it and it got little water, drying out in between waterings. Light right now is less with about 8 hours per day. Haven’t measured lumens recent sly, but estimated 2000-3000 lumen.

Light is west-facing not clear window. Humidity between 30%-70%. Temps typical indoor temps: 65-75F.

Never reported. Currently in spaghnum moss and watered every other day or when drying (not dry).

[estación seca]

Dendrobiums need a lot of water while pushing new growth. They are all accustomed to plentiful summer wate They should not dry out or the new growth dies. Mature plants may be strong enough to push a second or third set of new growth, but if new growth keeps drying out, the plant will die.

This species has a strongly seasonal growth pattern. If it survives it might not grow until next Spring.

I would keep it just moist over the winter, brightly lit, and cool but not freezing. Next spring, if it survives, it may begin making new growth and roots. At that point, if the sphagnum is old and breaking down, you could repot. If the moss is still in good shape I would not repot.

[Roberta]

This time of year, loss of leaves is normal for Den moniliforme If the canes aren't totally shriveled, it's likely just "resting". A photo would help diagnose. I never toss out a Dendrobium in the winter - lots of them look dead, and revive in the spring. When you see new growth (somewhere around March) start watering heavily. Now, I'd suggest just light watering and no fertilize. (I have killed Dendrobiums being too brutal with winter drying... our houses are much drier than their habitat where they get dew even when they don't get rain)

Also, they like to be cool in winter - if you can put it close to a window so that it gets a bit of chill, also helpful.

[plantxart]

You might be able to save it depending on the condition. I got a dendrobium once in an extremely tightly packed sphagnum moss. Because the sphagnum was packed I ended up overwatering it and rotted the roots off. I cleaned off the rotted roots and placed it in water. In no time , keikis formed and now I have little baby plants! 😁

[Roberta]

Remember, winter is "rest time" for this type of orchid. You don't want to soak it in winter. In its Japan habitat, it will get little rain, but heavy dew during the winter. And in spring, with new growth (and new roots) it's time to start watering. It often flowers on leafless canes. Unless the canes are shriveled and light brown, they are very likely alive.

[c123anderson]

Okay, please don't judge. I'm finally able to get a pic on. Please don't judge me ...... I really feel pretty wretched about this plant. But I am posting these pics for any other thoughts (on the plant .... no comments about my finding a new hobby for the sake of orchids everywhere).

Roberta, your advice has been my hunch: to water and hope.

Here's two comparison pics. The first one is shortly after I received the plant. The second one is today <sigh>.

As far as how it looks .... yes, I know. Please don't comment about that. After realizing I had neglected proper watering for it, I have been careful with it for months. Yes, months. The neglect (sparse watering) lasted for a few weeks, but my doctoring and watching has continued since then, only to watch the plant decline.

I hesitate to tear the plant out of its pot and examine the roots. If it's still viable but delicate, I don't want to push it over the edge.

I have observed my other moniliforme lose its leaves recently and one or two canes shrivel, with the rest doing fine. But I'm inexperienced enough with the species that I don't know if I have a dead plant or one that's going to bounce back.

I would love some thoughts from the collective wisdom on ways to proceed. And, thank you for your help. I truly appreciate it.

[Roberta]

Doesn't look great, but if there is green there is hope. I would water lightly - it doesn't have reserves for a dry period. It does or it doesn't... The plant when you got it doesn't look great, the old p-bulb was already pretty desiccated. It's also possible that the growth last year was a last gasp if it didn't have the reserves to put down roots.

[estación seca]

I agree. It may be dead but it might have some life left.

I would not repot now. The moss looks good enough to make it to Spring, and you would damage roots it desperately needs.

Keep the moss just barely moist - not wet to touch, but so it is flexible and not crisp. The way to do this is either to dip the pot into water for one (1) second, not longer, or to splash water onto it for one second. Do this as often as the outer moss seems almost crisp.

Keep it in a cool spot to reduce water loss. It is fine at quite low temperatures so long as it does not freeze. Bright cool light will also help; the canes are able to photosynthesize and produce food, and this would increase its chances of survival.

If you decide to get another one I would suggest getting a green leafed one to learn on. They tend to be more vigorous.