| halloween
The new shoots are new growths as this is the normal growing pattern for most Dendrobiums.
Any stem over one year old can show what you are calling shriveling
it is a normal growth pattern for dens.
These older growths will often lose all their leaves but keep them on the plant. They are capable of flowering from bare canes.
Your trying to grow the plant in a glass jar was not too far off the mark. S/H (semi-hydroponic) growing uses this exact method to grow orchids, but it is done with holes on the side of the pot to allow air circulation over the roots. Dens can survive better than any other orchid without air over the roots but it is not a good method. I grow many in clay pots without side slits and so pot bound that air circulation can only be minimal. Clay does breath so your glass is not as good.
Your den sounds fine and I doubt if the glass jar has done any damage.
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jerry |