Question
So this year while at college the local Walmart had orchids on sale. It was literally 99cents and basically dead. I haven't seen it flower and am excited to see what I actually have here. Here's my question: I'm pretty sure its a dendrobium but am not entirely sure, it's almost summer here in the midwest and have three brand new stalks that are are growing happily but all the old stalks are still around, and not doing anything, at all. There are several of them and it makes the plant look kind of odd. What do I do with these stalks since they still seem to be alive on the inside?

Answer
Hello Trevor,

If it is indeed a dendrobium orchid you rescued from WalMart, here are some things you can do to resuscitate it.  Also, because you said it has stalks (canes) with and without leaves, I am assuming that it is of the evergreen variety of dendrobiums.  

Keep it where it will be exposed to bright morning sun but if that is not possible, put it where it gets bright indirect sunlight.  Temperatures between 50F to 85F with humidity above 50%, both of which should not be a problem there in the midwest.  Expose it to some light air movement.  Water when the potting mix becomes almost dry but try to not let it go completely dry.  It would be a good idea to feed it a light (1/4 the suggested amount) mix of a balance orchid fertilizer.  

As for the leafless canes, I'd leave them alone as they do no harm but rather serve as storage for food and water for the others in case you forget to water once in a while.  When it comes time to repot and divide it, that would be the time to separate (divide) the canes.  At that time, you can try potting the leafless canes into a pot of their own and if there are dormant growth eyes present, a new cane will emerge and grow into a plant identical to the mother plant.  

Hope this helped.  Hope all is going well in your studies and good luck in your future work endeavors.  Have to admit, I'm glad I'm retired!  Don't know if I could live through all that is going on and around these days for you youngsters.  (grin)

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.