Can I cut off old dendrobium backbulbs?
 

Early last spring I won the last plant on our club's raffle table. It was a Den. spectabile. It was bare root and had 4 leafless canes that were 2 feet tall. Got home and soaked it then potted up in fine potting mix. Lo and behold, it grew 2 new growths that are now 1 foot tall each and it has a new growth starting. Last fall I removed the 2 oldest canes. I don't appreciate the weird flowers and want to put it on the raffle table this spring. My question is: Can I remove the remaining 2 tall leafless canes or are they contributing to the health of the new growths?

I believe they contribute to the plant as water and nutrients reservoir. I tend to compare all those canes and roots to a complete system, like a city, for ex, with all the sub-systems: transportation, security, water suply, energy, etc. Each one of them has their contribution to the whole system (the plant). The moto here is: if it's green, then let it be.

Plus, sometimes old canes can have blooms too. I have an example at home: a two year old cane is blooming.

As long as they are in good shape they are a huge asset to the plant.

Dendrobium spectabile can rebloom from those old canes, so leave them.

Had to google it- you're right, those flowers are weird. Kinda cool, though:)

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I love Den. spectabile. Unfortunately, they need a greenhouse where I live, and a lot of space, and GH is little. <sigh>

Actually, I have no problem growing mine without a greenhouse.

I would definitely NOT cut those old pseudobulbs, BTW.

I am surprised that they are so hardy! Do you keep them dry to protect from frost?

Thank you all for your advise. I will not cut off the older canes. I grew it outside with morning sun until late morning and brought into my greenhouse in late fall. Thanks again!

Yes, do not cut off any parts unless they die and dry on their own. They are all full of good stuff they need.

I also find this flowers creepy. I don't think anyone will think this is beautiful. Definiatley unique but not pretty in anyone's point, I don't think.

By the way, there are quite a bit of variations among plants in how curly, hairly and kinky the flowers can get, not to mention color variations.
Why don't you at least flower it to see if you find it appealing.
To further entice you, they have wonderful fragrance. :)

You do have to give them a lot of light though.