Dendrobium Losing Leaves, but has new growth

[Maree]

Is this normal with new growth or is there something I can change to avoid the yellowing and leaf drop, thank you

[Roberta]

Over time it's normal for a Dendrobium to lose some leaves on older cants, but this one looks like it is missing something that it wants. If this is a Den-phal type, it doesn't want to dry out too much. What is the condition of the medium? Does that pot drain well?

[estación seca]

These like to be evenly warm and moist all year. It is also possible for spider mites to cause this. The new growth is fairly weak, and won't approach the size of the previous growths. That means something is missing in its care.

[Maree]

Would more light and not as chilly at night help?
I have all my phals on a ground floor under a porch roof inside with Southern exposure, they don't get intense light, but I do have a grow light at night. That's where this Dendrobium is.
My Cattleya, Onc and Brassia are upstairs Southern Exposure more light but don't get as chilly at night. I turn the AC down to 64 at night and the upstairs doesn't get a chilly.
I water every 3rd day and fertilize monthly. I water in the sink and Pot drains well
I appreciate all the suggestions and help.
Thank you Melanie

[estación seca]

Different orchids prefer different temperatures and amounts of light. Phals. prefer much warmer temperatures than you describe. They are shade plants that do well in bright shade. This kind of Dendrobium would also prefer to be warmer than 64 degrees at night. It likes brighter light than the Phal. The Catts. will be OK with 64 at night but likes to be warmer in the day. They like very bright light. The Brassia and Oncs. also like bright light but don't need as much as Catts.

[Roberta]

Question about that grow light at night... I hope that you are giving the plants 12 hours or so of darkness. During the short days winter, they benefit from having the "day" extended but they still need a diurnal rhythm.

[Maree]

Grow light is 1p to 9p. So they get 9p to 6a in darkness. Should I change grow light 11a-7p?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Maree

Grow light is 1p to 9p. So they get 9p to 6a in darkness. Should I change grow light 11a-7p?

That seems fine. They get a good night's sleep.

I'd just take a look at the medium (and maybe the roots)

[Maree]

The medium is semi course bark but it may dry out too quick so I put a layer of sphagnum moss on top since I moved the plant to a sunnier warmer spot. I will continue to water every 3 days and check to make sure it doesn’t dry out to much in between.
Thanks everyone for all tips and input. Great community Melanie