Dendrobium Aussie's Chip roots question

[orchidee]

Hi,
I just purchased a Dendrobium Aussie's Chip online. The plant was very dry when it arrived (it was potted in a light colored rock medium). After watering I noticed that all the roots where papery and hollow, with only a center string holding them together. The older canes are very shriveled and the leaves have light color blotches and feel leathery. It has 2 new growths that look much better. I contacted the seller and they tell me that all Dendrobiums look like this in the winter, it could possibly not be root rot, since she underwaters, and that this is part of its cycle until it makes new growths with roots in the Spring. Is this indeed normal? I am successfully growing Phals and Tolumnias, but this is my first Dendrobium.

[catttan]

Hello. Not familiar with the Dendrobe you mentioned. I would take the vendor at her word. Many soft cane dendrobiums have a wintering period.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Hello. Not familiar with the Dendrobe you mentioned. I would take the vendor at her word. Many soft cane dendrobiums have a wintering period.

I agree with Yew Sung.

cheers,
BD

[orchidee]

It is a an evergreen hard cane hybrid of the latouria type. (Den. Aberrans x Den. Atroviolaceum v pygmy). These roots sure look dead. I cleaned it up( I cut the roots that were literally falling off its string in the center) and re-potted and I am hoping for new roots in Spring.

[catttan]

It is a an evergreen hard cane hybrid of the latouria type. (Den. Aberrans x Den. Atroviolaceum v pygmy). These roots sure look dead. I cleaned it up( I cut the roots that were literally falling off its string in the center) and re-potted and I am hoping for new roots in Spring.

Both aberrans and atroviolaceum are from the rain forests of Papua New Guinea and enjoy high heat and humidity year round. I have not seen D aberrans except in pictures but some of my fiends grow atroviolaceum and it has the most gorgeous lip not unlike spectabile only beautifully coloured. They are not deciduous like the soft cane types.

I think you have done the right thing by cutting off the dead roots and repotting.