Dendrobium Yellowing After Cold Exposure: Rest Period Triggered

Cold + Darkness = Forced Dormancy

A week at 36°F under a blanket pushed your Dendrobiums into an early, abrupt rest period. Yellowing/browning leaves are the plant shedding foliage to conserve energy. Canes remain firm? They'll recover.

Care During Forced Rest

• Mist canes 2×/week to prevent shriveling.
• No fertilizer.
• Bright light, but no water until new growth emerges (months later).

Why Phals and Catts Were Fine

Phalaenopsis in garage (warmer) and Cattleyas (different cold tolerance) didn't experience the same shock.

Virus Unlikely

Symptoms match cold-induced dormancy, not viral infection (which shows mosaic, rings, necrosis).