The most unpretentious representative of the orchid family is considered phalaenopsis... He does not need special care, but certain rules for caring for this plant must be observed. Otherwise, this specific flower can get sick with diseases characteristic of this species and even die from them.
First of all, its yellowing and sluggish leaves begin to signal the disease of the plant. You need to react to this signal quickly in order to prevent the death of the flower affected by the disease.
In fact, the color of orchid leaves changes for several reasons, so even a novice amateur florist can easily react in time and save the plant.
Excess moisture
The most common mistake of a grower, which leads to yellowing of orchid leaves, is considered to be abundant watering of the flower. Phalaenopsis is not an ordinary houseplant, its aerial roots do not need soil. The orchid is placed in a pot filled with substrate or bark. This is done in order to fix the flower, to help it maintain an upright position. Aerial roots do not need moisture, they only need a constant flow of air. The layer of water that gets inside the pot blocks the access of oxygen to the roots of the orchid. The roots rot from moisture and cannot perform well their main function - to feed orchid leaves. Without adequate nutrition, some leaf plates turn yellow and die. Leaves that have not yet changed their color become soft and lethargic. In the most critical cases, the rotting process affects the stem, then the stem turns black completely, and the flower dies.
Like all orchids, phalaenopsis are grown in transparent pots filled with bark or substrate, so it is possible to observe the condition of the roots, the degree of moisture in the bark and choose the correct watering regime for the flower. The main signs of excess moisture inside the pot are considered as follows:
- Wet bark and dark in color
- Condensation on the walls of the pot
- Green roots pressed against the side of the pot
- Heavy flower pot
If you notice any of these signs on your flower, do not water it. Pay attention to the appearance of dry, healthy roots and keep the orchid roots the same.
If rotting has already begun, then the leaves of such a plant will acquire yellowness with black blotches, and the roots will completely turn black. If these signs are found, the flower must be removed from the pot and planting material, and all damaged roots and leaves must be removed. Only after that, take resuscitation measures to further save the orchid. Sometimes they are limited to just a transplant. A plant sick with rot needs a minimum of moisture. It is enough to cover the base of the flower with moistened moss, which must be sprayed periodically.
If the plant has lost most of the root system, and some green leaves have survived, rescue measures should be carried out in a mini-greenhouse. To observe the restoration of the roots of an orchid, you do not need to plant it in a new substrate.It is better to secure the plant with coconut fiber and pine bark, placing it on a substrate. After that, cover the phalaenopsis with a transparent cap and put it in a place that is not exposed to direct sunlight. The orchid substrate should be periodically moistened, and the leaves should be wiped with a damp cloth.
Excess light
Phalaenopsis does not like direct sunlight and prefers shady places. It grows and develops well even at a distance from the window. The sun's rays and glare can cause burns on phalaenopsis leaves. Flower leaves can be affected in one of three degrees:
- Thin yellowish border, appears on the leaves under increased illumination
- Gutters - several yellowish spots merging into one spot, appears with little exposure to the sun
- Large yellowish shapeless burn spots, sometimes similar to burnt tissue, like a brown film, appear with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight on them
In case of local damage to the orchid, it is enough to move it to another place that is better suited for the health of the flower. A leaf damaged by light can be removed or the phalaenopsis can be allowed to shed it on its own. If a plant has many leaves damaged by light, then you need to examine its stem and roots. An orchid can be saved if the roots and stem are still firm and green. The flower needs to be moved to another place, for example in the shade, and the local humidity level must be increased without watering. If the roots of the flower have dried up, and the stem has turned yellow, then the chances of saving the plant are practically zero.
Growth point damage
Phalaenopsis has a single stem that is constantly growing. This phenomenon is called monopodial growth. The top of the phalaenopsis stem is called the growth point. Damage to this point can lead to the death of the plant. Mechanical damage to the growth point is rare, mainly due to the onset of rotting of the stem tip. In any of these cases, the orchid leaves will change their color, and yellowing will touch the stem of the plant and go down to the root system. Sometimes the growth of the main stem freezes after the plant has a root baby. The orchid transfers its development to a young flower.
Natural causes
Phalaenopsis feels good and develops well if it loses one of its lowest leaves in a year. This is the life cycle of an orchid. First, the leaf plate of the flower turns yellow, then the leaf turns bright yellow, wrinkled, acquires a brown tint and dies off.
Thank you for the helpful advice, I really love orgides, but I don’t know the rules of care.
Hello, thank you very much for the information. I have the same problem. Only the leaves began to turn yellow during the flowering period. How can you help?
My orchid has the lower leaves turn yellow, blooms beautifully with yellow flowers, small roots in the water, there is half a pot of water, although I water it moderately, what to do？