Dendrobium laevifolium: one leaf left, HELP

[Alplily NH]

Poor little guy lost all but one of its leaves... I suspect it dried out too much during late summer. The single leaf seems firm and healthy, the p-bulbs are all still firm and the roots appear alive... Is there any hope? Should I just keep lightly watering it? Darn it... it hasn't even bloomed yet!

[smwboxer]

Don't worry as long as the p-pulbs and roots are OK. These guys lose their leaves. I let mine dry out a little more when the leaves drop but not as dry as some dendrobiums, then start watering normal again once new growth starts.

[Alplily NH]

Thanks! I didn't find anything in culture notes saying it was deciduous... that would explain a lot. Whew!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Thanks! I didn't find anything in culture notes saying it was deciduous... that would explain a lot. Whew!

Deciduous --Thank goodness Glad your plant is okay, Julie!

Cheers,
BD

[4th Cat]

I just got one in bloom about 2 months ago - end of it's blooming. I know I let it dry out too much. It has no leaves and the bulbs are a bit wrinkled, but the roots still look good. Is it salvageable? If so, how should I proceed? It is in a small pot, but just wired in with bark wired around its roots. I grow in a small, open-topped glass case with a fan attached and keep about 47-60% humidity. It is in an east window with lots of light.

[sake of silence]

By the sound of it, you probably got one from Roy, who grows them in Hawaii. I grow mine next to the cuthbertsonii. Its definitely salvageable, just keep watering every now and then and wait for a keiki or new growth.

[4th Cat]

Yep - Roy and his wife were in Omaha and brought lots of plants. I took the wiring apart last night for a quick check and it has lots of good roots. I'm glad to hear it still has a chance. If you grow yours next to the cuthbertsonii, does this need really cool temps? If so, I do have cooler spot I can move it to. Thanks!

[Ron-NY]

Yep - Roy and his wife were in Omaha and brought lots of plants. I took the wiring apart last night for a quick check and it has lots of good roots. I'm glad to hear it still has a chance. If you grow yours next to the cuthbertsonii, does this need really cool temps? If so, I do have cooler spot I can move it to. Thanks!

daytime in low 70's night temps mid 50's are to this orchids likings. Don't allow it to completely dry but decrease water in the short dark days of winter

[Tom-19951]

Baker's Dendrobium book says low 70s and mid 50s too, but my personal experience with this species tells it also does very well under warmer condition, up to the upper 80s.
I grow two of mine under the same culture condition. One is more deciduous than the other.