Question
QUESTION: hello i received a dendrobium phalaenopsis type as a gift over a year and a half ago, it bloomed beautifully for a month, the flowers fell, some leaves turned yellow and fell. there are stems (bulbs?) covered in white threads, and look shriveled and the stem is a yellow-brown-mossy-green color. i tried repotting, but almost all of the roots fell off. the roots that are left look like they are dead as well. yet there have been keiki's but they die too while still on the stem. is there any chance of saving this plant?

ANSWER: Christy, the stems are called canes.  Most dendrobiums require a rest period after blooming. During rest, leaves will turn yellow and many will simply fall from the plant as the leaves of deciduous trees.  If the canes are firm and show no signs of softness, you may yet be able to save this plant.  If water with the plant at rest, the plant gets confused and roots could rot as they are inactive and watering does no good.  It sounds as if the roots falling off are coming from the canes.  These are not crucial.   Future cane growth will depend upon roots in the potting mix.  You should not attempt to repot the plant during rest. Since you have repotted it, Stake the canes firmly using bamboo stakes. Reduce water to once every two weeks and then water lightly. Keikis also rest and their roots will turn white to show the same.  You may mist the plant during this rest period.  The plant will let you know when it is coming out of rest by sending up new growth.  At that time you can water and feed once per week.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for you prompt reply. There have been new canes growing then quickly turn yellow and soggy. the older canes have deep ridges, are firm on top, and have a squishy lower half. the roots that are left are very short and sparse, soggy and brown and fall off easily. will this plant grow new roots? will the mature shriveled up canes produce flowers? its been a year and a half since the flowers fell and the plant became this way.

Answer
It sounds as if your dendrobium suffers from rot as a result of overwatering.  The only hope for recovery is if some canes have an "eye" at their base.  Any cane that is squishy at its base is rotted and not likely to hve a viable eye.  An eye is like a little bud-like swelling at the base from which new growth can emerge. It has a small scale like covering.  Dendrobiums can be dificult to grow because of the  rest period they enter after flowering.  Continued watering during the rest period is likely to cause rot and/or premature new growth which is not strong and also subject to rot. If you have any solid canes without the squishiness you need to separate those out and repot them.  Do not water them but you may mist slightly in their new pot and potting mix. Sorry I can't give you a more positive prognosis.