Indoor plants delight the owners with their beauty and flowering. But sometimes they get sick. It is often possible to observe that the leaves of an orchid have turned yellow. What to do in this case? It all depends on the reasons for the color change of the leaves. This topic is discussed in detail in the article.
Natural process
Having found yellowing leaves of the plant, do not panic. This is how the natural aging process proceeds - each leaf has its own cycle. This occurs in all plants. In mass hybrids, 1 lower leaf dries. Rarely 2 processes die off. In instances of Nobile from a bulb, complete subsidence can be observed.
Orchid leaves have turned yellow, what should I do? If this happens to the lower ones, do not immediately panic. They dry completely and separate on their own. Their pruning or tearing is not required so as not to injure the plant. It must be inspected regularly. Yellowing can occur quickly, in 1-4 days.
The age of orchids also affects - deciduous cover in rare cases lasts several years. The annual discharge of leaves (during flowering or at rest) is considered normal. If competent care is performed, then such a problem rarely appears. If there are any omissions, the plant immediately responds to them: it changes color or is delayed in development.
Lack of watering
This is one of the reasons why the leaves of the orchid have turned yellow . What to do? It all depends on the type of problem - overdrying or waterlogging. This leads to metabolic disorders and is a consequence of discoloration of the foliage.
Lack of watering is rare, but it does happen. As an example, phalaenopsis. The stem looks healthy, and the roots are normal, and the leaves are yellowness. This occurs with regular watering. This is due to the method of hydration - when water is supplied from a watering can, the bark is not sufficiently moistened. Nutrient components will be scarce, and young shoots as if take them from the old.
For this, immersion irrigation should be used so that there is no quick waterlogging. Within 1-2 weeks after changing the irrigation regime, the plant is restored.
A lot of moisture
The reason may be excess moisture, which often leads to leaf diseases. Because of this, rotting with bacteria appears. Florists recommend focusing not only on the top of the bark. It dries quickly, and in the depth of the substrate retains moisture for a long time. This must be considered before watering. In this case, transparent pots are convenient. If the container is opaque, then you need to take a wooden stick and place it near the rim, and after a few minutes it will be clear whether watering is required.
Florists will learn about the dryness of the soil "by weight", raising the capacity - the wet substrate is usually heavier than dry. If yellowing has arisen from excessive watering, then there will be the following symptoms:
- Change the color of all processes.
- The appearance of black spots on the leaves.
- The foliage became soft and damp.
- Darkening of the roots and dark spots.
Hard water is neutralized by peat in the substrate. Its content in this composition reaches up to 20%. If there is a process of decay, then the orchid must be removed from the pot and transplanted, paying attention to the roots. After this, the flower requires special care.
In addition to the watering schedule, moisture itself is important. Hard water with impurities leads to salinization of the soil. Having determined that the leaves of the orchid have turned yellow, it is necessary to change the soil. Foliage is washed with liquid fertilizer. During flowering, this procedure is preferably not performed.
Dryness from the rays of the sun
We continue to understand why the leaves of the orchid turned yellow and what to do. If the plant has stood for a long time on the hot side, it can get a sunburn. This is another reason why orchids turn yellow leaves. What to do in this case? It is necessary to change the location of the flower. If there is no extra space, the plants are obscured by furnishing others. You should not wait for the leaves to turn yellow and begin to wither. Many hybrids are not adapted to prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
The area near the burn gradually dries up. Eliminating the entire leaf is not required - a healthy plant has the strength to nourish a healthy area. And if, due to a lack of lighting, the orchid leaves turn yellow and fall, what should I do? In the cold period, additional light is used (phytolamps, luminescent devices). They must be turned on for several hours so as not to overheat the flower. Photophilous are the lines of Wanda, Lelia, Cattleya. It is advisable to keep these plants further from the north side. Otherwise, the foliage falls off from the orchid, and it will be necessary to urgently eliminate it.
Fertilizer disorders
If the leaves and stem of the orchid are yellowed, this may be due to errors in the fertilizer. Nutrition of flowers is important. Now many fertilizers are sold that are not suitable for some varieties. When buying, you need to consult with the seller, indicating the name of the variety.
If there is a suspicion of pests, the flower should not be fertilized - this can lead to the death of an orchid. A separate nuance is the dosage.
Excess fertilizer
If the orchid's leaves turn yellow and fall off, then the reason may be an excess of fertilizers. Often, sellers perform pre-sale training using stimulants and recharge. This improves the appearance of the flower. Such mistakes are also made by beginners.
The overfed plant lasts 1-2 years, and then yellowing of the foliage occurs. It is advisable to fertilize plants after flowering, when the flower has settled in a new place. When feeding, it should be borne in mind that:
- Fertilizer is applied during growth.
- Water is combined with watering. Every second watering is a good time. First, moistening the soil and shaking the container are required.
- When the leaves are formed, fertilizers are not particularly needed.
- In cold weather, feeding is reduced, this should be done once a month. Some flowers survive well and an absolute lack of nutrition at this time.
- Do not fertilize weak and sick orchids. Top dressing in the first month after transplantation should not be performed.
Growth stimulants should not be used for home flowers. If orchid leaves turn yellow, what should I do? When the cause of this phenomenon is an excess of calcium, dietary adjustment is required. The flower can be transplanted into a balanced substrate. When these rules are met, the plant will receive a calibrated dose.
Lack of fertilizer
This phenomenon is dangerous, as is glut. The plant usually suffers from a lack of potassium, as can be seen by the yellowing of the tops of the leaves. Then, the affected inner plate with dead veins will be noticeable. The reason for this process is that the flower lacks potassium, and when it is deficient, young leaves pull the mineral from their older "neighbors".
If leaves turn yellow, how to save an orchid? To prevent them from falling off, the flower is transplanted into new soil enriched with potassium. A single fertilizer is performed on the basis of half the dose indicated on the package. It is important that the composition was potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen. Florists recommend paying attention to the labeling of funds for makeup. Usually there are letters NPK, and next to them are numbers. It is the code that indicates what the fertilizer is intended for. Cipher 4-3-3 - for a set of green mass, and 4-6-6 - flowering stimulants.
Pests
If the leaves of the Phalaenopsis orchid turn yellow, what should I do? When pests are the cause, their appearance should be identified. They lead to fading and yellowing of foliage. First, the plant must be isolated from healthy ones.
The easiest way to identify a spider mite. Its presence is evidenced by a thin cobweb inside the leaf and shoots. Eliminate the pest by flushing with warm water (40–45 degrees). Then the flower is covered with a package for 3 days, it is important to monitor the condition of the soil.
Aphids settle on the back of sheets. These are green insects that sip juices from a plant and also poison cells. They are also considered fungus bearers. If the lower leaves of the orchid turn yellow because of them, what should I do? They are washed with warm water, treated with a soapy solution. Then spraying with Fitoverm is required.
And also it is necessary to prepare an infusion of citrus peel: 100 g is poured with water (1 liter). After insisting for 3 days, the solution is sprayed every 5 hours for several days in a row.
Other pests
If orchid leaves turn yellow, what should I do? First, the infected plant is isolated. Eliminate the pest will allow a solution of olive oil diluted in water (1 tbsp. L / 0.5 l). The tool is applied to the affected areas. The procedure is performed 3 times with a weekly break. If the plant has thick leaves, rubbing with cotton soaked in ethyl alcohol is necessary. When rinsing with warm water, young scabs should be removed. Then the plant is sprayed with Fitoverm. This is repeated every 7-10 days.
When the leaves of the orchid turn yellow and fall off, what should I do? They leave marks - small dots or silver dusting. You can get rid of them by rinsing with warm water and cutting off the affected areas to healthy places. It helps spraying with special drugs with a break of 10 days. The procedure is repeated 2 more times.
Usually, changes are immediately noticeable in the flowers. You can verify this from the photo. Orchid leaves turned yellow, what should I do? If nematodes are wound, then the solution of "Levamisole" is used. The tablet must be dissolved in water (1 liter), and then the liquid is poured into the soil.
Woodlice do not leave a sticky coating on the flower. They are formed on plants that are kept on the street. You can eliminate them by soaking the container in another container with water. Helps and transplantation with washing the roots. Other pests, other than those listed, can start in the substrate. Prevention is advisable.
Diseases
Yellowing and falling of the leaves also occurs due to the presence of infection. Fungal, viral, bacterial ailments can be obtained from a diseased plant. Such flowers must be isolated from healthy ones. Fungal infects the plant due to oversight. A sign are dark yellow spots on the leaves and stems. With these ailments, tubercles arise. If there are few of them, fungicide treatment is performed.
In advanced cases, the diseased area or the entire sheet is cut. In treatment, it is not worth incising the tubercles themselves. Cut points are processed. Often there is gray rot, which must be treated with "Immunocytophyte". Powdery mildew is eliminated by "Antidote", anthracnose - "Mikosan".
The appearance of viruses is possible. They occur during stress - when transporting a flower, sudden changes in temperature, change in humidity. Infection may occur during watering. Leaves take on dark rings, but there are other signs. Treatment with antibiotics and fungicidal agents is required.
Bacterial spotting appears on old leaves. They become softened, yellowness with a dark tint occurs. Marked sores that secrete fluid. Treatment involves a section of the problem area, and the incision is treated with iodine. The use of tap water saturates the soil with chlorine. Filtered water is required to save the plant.
Care
In order for the plant to develop correctly, it needs competent care. Lighting is important. The main condition is scattered light, and there should be a lot of it. Therefore, the flower should be placed on a bright window (but not on the south), while providing protection from direct sunlight.
Highly frequent and plentiful watering can do much harm. It is important to observe moderation. Between these procedures, the substrate should dry well. Humidification of foliage is best done with a spray gun. In summer you need to water more abundantly, which can be done through the pallet.
Plants like high humidity, which should be at least 60%. Otherwise, you must purchase a humidifier. To maintain normal foliage growth, warm, standing water is needed. And with moderate humidity, systematic spraying is required.
Conclusion
Thus, the article indicates the common causes of yellowing of the leaves, as well as methods for eliminating the problem. Thanks to careful care, the plant will develop correctly, and the risk of pests or diseases will be reduced to a minimum.