Orchid is a plant beloved by many, which in the wild can be found on wetlands or in the mountains. This is a plant that requires special care. Despite the capricious nature of the orchid, it is still a popular indoor flower. More often, an orchid suffers from yellowing leaves, which many breeders of this flower cannot cope with.
The causes of yellowing, in fact, are different. But it all comes down to improper care of the plant.
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Causes
Wrong watering
When wondering why the leaves turn yellow in the orchid, you need to first adjust the watering regime. This is often the main cause of the problem.
Lack of water
When the roots do not absorb enough fluid, it affects the leaves, which literally in a matter of days become lethargic and yellow. Of course, many orchid lovers lack watering - a rare occurrence. More often people overdo it and use a lot of water. A mistake in saving a plant suffering from a lack of water is a sharp transition to a regime of abundant watering. It is impossible to water the plant in a hurry. For verification, it is necessary to remove the bark of the upper layer of soil. At this place you need to focus on the assessment of dryness. The second verification method - placing the stick between the wall of the pot and the ground is also effective. A wooden stick, after a few minutes will become wet if the plant is watered excessively.
Excess water
It happens that the leaves turn yellow at the orchid, and gardeners do not know what to do. As in the previous situation, it is important to first assess the plant to determine the cause. Often this is excess moisture. How can orchid lovers allow this?
Some even keep this plant in a pot of water, like cut flowers. The first months of the orchid may not show signs of poor response to excessive soil moisture. But later, the leaves of the plant become soft and yellow. The sheet is covered with dark spots, the trunk becomes yellow. The roots will change color along with the leaves and stem, turning gray.
Lack of nutrition
When the leaves turn yellow in the orchid, this may indicate a lack of nutrition. The plant, therefore, makes it clear that it needs iron and potassium. This is a common phenomenon that occurs when the plant is fed the wrong diet. To recharge, you also need to choose exclusively high-quality material, otherwise the leaves will rapidly fade, and then die completely.
Incorrect location
Want to find out why the leaves of the Phalaenopsis orchid turn yellow and what to do about it? It must be remembered that such a plant needs a good level of lighting as well as the correct watering regime. These are the two most important factors that affect the growth and development of this plant. It is advisable to place a pot with an orchid on the northern windowsill. But universal placement does not exist. Selecting the best lighting conditions should be based on the variety of orchids. So, hybrid varieties need less light than the varieties Vanda, Ascocenda, Rinhostilis.
Diseases and Pests
Many gardeners are often worried about why their orchid leaves turn yellow and what to do in this case. Orchids are susceptible to infectious diseases, which are divided into fungal infections, bacterial and viral. To find out whether a plant has such a disease is relatively simple.
The color of the spot can be a few tones darker, or, conversely, lighter. Painful areas need to be cut from the sheet with sterile instruments, all cuts should be treated. The plant is isolated until complete recovery. Many orchids are already sold infected, so this problem is common.
Excess or lack of sun
When the leaves of an orchid turn yellow, the reasons may be different, and the treatment accordingly. Burns and drying occur on hot days when the plant is placed on the south side or on the western side. The leaf will turn yellow in one area that has been exposed to the sun. To avoid further damage, the plant should be moved to another place.
Incorrect fertilizer mode
Fertilize orchids only during the period of active growth. Additional food is provided if necessary. In the phase of active growth, fertilizers are carried out once every three weeks. If you do not adhere to this regime, the leaves will fade and turn yellow. If you use the wrong proportions of the material to fertilize or carry out the procedure too often, the plant will react in the same way.
Is it possible to cut yellow leaves from an orchid?
You can not trim the affected sheet. In case of infection with bacterial or other diseases, only the affected areas on the sheet are cut out. In other cases, you should not touch the leaves. The orchid receives food from the affected leaf, it will dry on its own later. It is not advisable for a person to intervene in this process.
There are enough reasons for the yellowed leaves. But as you could already understand, the reason most often lies in the improper care of the orchid. When controlling watering and lighting, proper nutrition of the plant, there will be no problems. You must also purchase an orchid from a trusted supplier who is guaranteed to sell you a healthy and strong plant.
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