If root rot happened, sometimes it's hard to get them to come back. My Mom usually overwaters hers, then gets scared and underwaters them after that. That combo is usually fatal. I never knew about the epiphyte thing so I potted mine in garden soil and watered it as often as I would a cactus. I guess it was dumb luck, but that plant is over 15 years old, and one of its offspring is huge now too.
The original in the garden dirt was looking pretty sad, so I repotted it in January with a very coarse mix that is heavy on bark. After a relentless pruning, it is looking great.
I would advise the Original Poster to root a few cuttings off of the original plant just in case it doesn't make it. Then you're still continuing Mom's plant.
