Den species leafless for a long time

[u bada]

I think I may give up on den species because they keep doing this thing where they lose their leaves and then remain in limbo for months not doing anything.

Den. Lamyaiae lost it's leaves probably last spring or maybe summer and has been leafless with green pbs for 5-6 months. I started watering again like regular in last 2 months and nothing...

Den. christynaum, same thing and posted about it before.

A couple den. moniliforme's doing the same thing, but maybe they're on schedule to regrow soon... I keep those watered regularly through in winter.

Den. biggibum, lost it's leaves but has a lead pb with 2x leaves that are ok but have not budged for months, some roots started to grow and haven't grown at all for a few weeks. This had been inside during winter, watering regularly with brassavola grandiflora.

Den. parvulum which is in a growing case, same thing.

Den. thaionanthum, same thing. no leaves just pbs, although the green on this one and last noted are sadly fading... and both in growing case, regular water, high humidity.

#$%^.

let me know what you think.

[AnonYMouse]

If you don't already know this, some Dens are deciduous and have rest periods.

I'm not much of a Den grower. I have some and a couple/few are moniliformes (I should go see how many are still alive) that I severely neglect. You are suppose to reduce watering during winter on them. I don't think watering is detrimental, just not optimal for flowering (?).

I'll let the experts address your concerns. I want to mention an important factor to consider: if your p-bulbs/canes are plump, there is plenty of opportunity to get the culture right.

[u bada]

yeah, I know some are deciduous and some are not, and when discussing with a grower the same issues, she comments such and such, like d. christyanum, shouldn't lose all it's leaves at once...

Actually almost all mentioned shouldn't lose all its leaves except moniliforme supposedly (have quite a few and some had retained their leaves in winter with fairly cold temps), maybe lamyaiae... and some get dryer winters in wild, some don't, some do in part of range and don't in other parts of range. It's all very confusing.

I wish they would just sprout new growth already or die, this limbo state puts me on edge...

[Orchid Whisperer]

If possible, try sticking them outdoors. If they have been mostly indoors, you may need to gradually adjust them to more light.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

If possible, try sticking them outdoors. If they have been mostly indoors, you may need to gradually adjust them to more light.

True. Are the Dends getting a seasonal light adjustment? Or do they get the same light everyday for the same amount of time?

[u bada]

Only the last two are in growing cases. d. biggibum stays inside with low temps. So all but last 2 are subjected to varying climactic changes, good or bad.

last two are png and/or related and are equatorial cloud forests, lower elevation and were told to me can handle fairly constant all year conditions.

[AnonYMouse]

If you want something to happen, then change a variable. Any variable.

[u bada]

I'm not trying to be difficult... ;P but I've tried a lot already... watering more, withholding water, low light, high light, temps are warmer now overall, higher humidity, low humidity, now I'm trying seaweed baths...

maybe I'm wondering if this is normal behavior for overall these, or any particular one and I just need to be patient?

For instance, has anyone had a den lamyaiae (related to unicum) that literally has stayed leafless and no new growth for almost a year?!!

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by u bada

yeah, I know some are deciduous and some are not, and when discussing with a grower the same issues, she comments such and such, like d. christyanum, shouldn't lose all it's leaves at once...

Actually almost all mentioned shouldn't lose all its leaves except moniliforme supposedly (have quite a few and some had retained their leaves in winter with fairly cold temps), maybe lamyaiae... and some get dryer winters in wild, some don't, some do in part of range and don't in other parts of range. It's all very confusing.

I wish they would just sprout new growth already or die, this limbo state puts me on edge...

Maybe lamyaiae? I've had one almost 2 years, and out of all that time it's had leaves maybe 6-8 months. It grows new leaves for me in the spring, tried to flower this past summer but blasted and by fall was bare again.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by u bada

I'm not trying to be difficult... ;P but I've tried a lot already... watering more, withholding water, low light, high light, temps are warmer now overall, higher humidity, low humidity, now I'm trying seaweed baths...

maybe I'm wondering if this is normal behavior for overall these, or any particular one and I just need to be patient?

For instance, has anyone had a den lamyaiae (related to unicum) that literally has stayed leafless and no new growth for almost a year?!!

Try having seasonal light variation for one year. If nothing, then try something else. Changing things all the time could be a problem. As Anon mentioned, change one thing at a time and keep it that way for a longer period. I suggest light variability.