Question
hello,

I had a large (3-4ft) potted dendrobium plant that I bought at the supermarket (nothing too special, but I don't have the exact species). Once the flowers died I cut the stems back but the plant wasn't doing too well, and I decided to move the clusters (there were actually four original plants in the same pot) into some trees in my yard. They have been thriving there, and some new stalks and healthier roots have begun to grow. However the old stalks have no leaves and remain unchanged. They are not yellowed or dead, but I wasn't sure what to do with them to make them grow new leaves/stems or if I should cut them back (or separate from the cluster?). Any advice would be helpful.

thank you!

Answer
Hilary, I recognize that the leafless canes may look unsightly, but as long as they are healthy, please don't cut them off.  You probably have a deciduous dendrobium which naturally lose their leaves.  Some types of these dendrobiums may rebloom from old leafless canes, but, even if they don't, they help to support the growth of new canes.