Dendrobium - Patience or Propagate? Please help...

[Rocinante]

Hi people,

I'm a newbie to the orchid hobby, and I need help with my Dendrobium. It bloomed beautifully all last summer, but in January it suddenly and without warning lost all it's leaves - with the exception of the one terminal leaf you'll see in the attached pics. It had a small keikis growing from the base of the cane. It was originally planted in coconut husk, and I didn't like the way that looked. So I decided to surgically remove the Den from the coconut husk. I should have known that I would disturb the growing keikis, but stupidly, I did it anyway. I soaked and removed the husk very painstakingly, and was careful to do as little root damage as possible. I only broke a couple of small roots, which I guess is enough! After inspecting and rinsing the root system, I then repotted it in Orchid mix. After repotting, I was saddened to see that the keikis had died off. But the cane itself seems to be hanging in there.
To get to my question, should I be patient with this Den, or should I propagate the cane, and start over with a new Den I've got my eye on?

[articuno75]

Some Dens naturally lose their leaves as this is a normal process for them. Go to the AOS website and get the culture sheet on Dendrobiums. Start from there. Some Dens have a dormancy period during the winter time in which watering and fertilizing is minimal to none. Be patient with this one. New leaves will return and she'll look good as new soon enough. Never hurts to get more orchids. This is coming from an orchidolic

[fred]

as I looked at your pics the Den looks healthy I would have to say Patience
and it will come back for you.

I agree you can always get another orchid or two while this one comes back for you.

[Rocinante]

Thanks for your opinion Jenny. Although the new Den I saw today was in full bloom and very tempting, I love this Den and I think I concur, that patience is the key. It is a hard cane Dendrobium and the way the leaves just simultaneously fell off, I did a little reading and realized it probably was dormancy. I do so regret repotting. I killed the keiki. But this is my first time dealing with this condition, and it looks so disturbing to have only one leaf.

[pitik101]

be patient and get the ones you want

[sandra]

All Dends will lose some leaves, some Dends will lose all of their leaves right before they bud and flower. My "parishii" and "superbum" Dends. hang and cascade out of their pots and both go bare right before budding. The nobiles do too (I think, not sure?) beginning in autumn and is when you would cut down on watering and fertilizing.

Patience but worth the wait. Enjoy.

[tizzycat]

I'd do both, be patient and buy another whilst you're waiting

[Eddy]

Hello All , I am new to Orchids and have lost 5 or 6 Orchids over the past few years and would like to save the couple I now have, so I am very interested in learning about Orchids. I currently have a Dendrobium but do not know which one or what type may be a better way to say it. The Dendrobium has three canes and all leaves have fallen off except one leave on the tallest cane. There is a green (bud?) growing from the base of the tallest also. The second tallest has a bud about half way up that is about 1 inch long and looks like it is growing roots also. The third cane looks like it is dying or dead not sure. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You
Eddy

[Rocinante]

Welcome Eddy! Please post a picture when you can... did it ever have flowers? If so, did they grow from the top of the cane? Then it is a Phalaenopsis-type Dendrobium. If the flowers grew from along the side of the cane, it is a Nobile-type Dendrobium. The "buds" you are referring to are called keikis (cake-ees) and are baby dendrobiums.

[berkeleysgr8]

I think your Dend looks fine! I have a couple that looked truly sad when in domancy... just shriveled and leafless canes. Yours should start putting on new keikis soon. Be patient!