Question
I just adopted two dendrobium orchids. One is a Mother Theresa (gorgeous flowers). They used to be healthy, blooming orchids but my aunt hasn't had the time to care for them and now they're a sad looking bunch.

They're no longer firmly potted and the stems have become very weak. The leaves are still green but very droopy and limp. I had to repot them yesterday because they were falling out of the pot. I may buy them smaller pots instead because the pots are now too big for them.

I checked the roots and they look thin but hanging on for dear life. The ends are still green albeit smaller than what they should be.

They've been overexposed, underwatered and unfertilized.

Can I save them and if so how? How long would it take to get them blooming again? My first concern now though is their health.

Please help.  

Answer
Hello Damelza,

Hopefully I can help you revive those dendrobium orchids you adopted from your aunt.  

Yes, it would be a good idea to buy smaller pots for the dendrobiums as they prefer having their roots confined.  Buy pots that will just barely contain the roots.  

Most dendrobium roots are on the thin side so yours may be okay.  The good thing is that the roots have green tips which indicates the roots are alive and growing.  When handling the roots during repotting, try to not damage the green tips as that will stop their growth.  

Once you have repotted them, place them in a warm shady location for 2 to 3 weeks.  Thoroughly water it right after repotting then water sparingly during the 2 to 3 week recovery period.  Place it where it will get bright morning sunlight but in bright shade from noon onward.  Temperatures between 50F to 85F with humidity above 50%.  Some light air movement would be nice.  While it is actively growing from late winter through mid fall, water when the potting mix becomes barely moist (probably 1 or 2 times a week).  In winter with cooler temperatures and the plant going into semi-dormancy, water less frequently.  Dendrobiums do not require lots of fertilizer to grow and bloom, feed it about a quarter of the amount recommended on the fertilizer container.  

If everything is perfect, it may bloom next year but it might be the year after.  It will take some time for it to recover from the neglect but I'm sure under your loving care it will survive.  Good luck and good growing.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.