Orchids today are quite widespread, both among amateurs and surrounded by quite experienced gardeners. With proper care, this flower will easily decorate any interior. It is mesmerizing with beauty. Orchids have a wide variety of colors and shapes. But sometimes the flower suddenly fades away. In this review, we will try to understand why the leaves of orchids turn yellow.
Variety of species
Indoor orchid is a plant with a thin stem and a luxurious flower at the top. In total, there are approximately 30,000 varieties of orchids in nature, however, only a few species are suitable for home growing.
Here is some of them:
- Phalaenopsis: considered the most popular among flower growers. This variety of orchids is unpretentious in care. Petals in their color resemble the wings of a butterfly.
- Dracula: a peculiar flower with a gloomy coloring.
- Paphiopedilum: in the form of buds resemble shoes. Florists especially appreciate this species for a long flowering time, which can reach two months.
- Aganiziya: this is a photophilous houseplant. It tolerates a lack of moisture. It is very popular due to the presence of volumetric inflorescences. On average, up to five fairly large buds ripen.
- Wanda: grow to a height of 80 cm.
A flower grower at home must definitely take care of a houseplant. Otherwise, they gradually begin to die. Often the housewives ask: "Why do orchids turn yellow leaves?". What to do in this case?
Causes
This issue should be given special attention. To properly deal with the problem, you need to know the reasons. Why do orchids turn yellow?
Here are just a few factors that can adversely affect the plant:
- natural yellowing;
- burn;
- lack of light for an orchid;
- excessive or insufficient feeding.
First steps
In order to avoid negative consequences, it is necessary to take measures in time. Why do orchids turn yellow leaves? What to do first? Most likely, the plant began to die due to natural dropping. If the color has changed only one sheet, and the rest remained in the same color, then do not worry again. It only says that his life cycle has ended. A new leaf will soon grow in its place.
If you notice that the leaf does not turn yellow at the base, but from the end, then most likely the problem is insufficient lighting. This problem can be solved quickly enough. It is only necessary to rearrange the orchid to another window with more intense lighting. Additionally, you can also highlight the flower with a fluorescent lamp. If this is not done in time, the plant may begin to darken, and then completely die. Why do orchid leaves turn yellow at home? When spots appear, a conclusion can be made about a burn. As a rule, it appears as a result of the fact that after moisturizing drops of water remain on the flowers. Under the sun they can work like lenses. Also, the cause of the damage may be the poor location of the fluorescent lamps. The main thing here is not to confuse the burns with the fungus. It can spread throughout the leaf and damage the orchid. However, with a timely and competent solution, the flower can be saved.
Proper lighting
Many housewives are interested in why the leaves of the orchid wilt and turn yellow. One of the most likely causes is the lack of lighting. Orchid is a warm and photophilous plant. However, the light must be diffused, too bright can destroy the flower. To properly organize the lighting system, before buying an orchid in a store, you need to clarify what type it belongs to. There are light-loving and shade-tolerant varieties.
Top dressing
Why do orchids turn yellow and fall leaves? A possible cause may be an excess or lack of nutrition. Most likely, the plant needs iron or potassium. With a lack of these substances, the leaves begin to turn pale and ultimately can finally die out. As a rule, indoor fertilizer is applied every three weeks during the period of active growth. Special blends such as Bona Forte are best suited for this purpose. You need to feed the plant only with specialized fertilizers.
How to transplant an orchid?
This process is worth paying special attention to. Many people have problems growing a plant like the Phalaenopsis orchid. Why do leaves turn yellow? What to do? Sometimes a transplant helps. For this purpose it is necessary to use a special mixture. A flower is transplanted on average once every two years. At first, the plant does not require additional fertilizing and fertilizing. All nutrients it will receive from the soil.
The first signs of yellowing
How to recognize them correctly? If you notice that the leaves have become rough, this may be the first sign of tissue destruction. This is a guaranteed harbinger of imminent yellowing. But at this stage, you can still try to eliminate the cause.
To do this:
- Provide the plant with regular watering.
- Avoid bay.
- For watering, it is best to use a watering can. In this case, you can avoid getting water in the middle of the leaf outlet.
- If water gets on the leaves, it must be removed and thus prevent the onset of rotting.
- You can try transplanting a houseplant into a more spacious container. The orchid pot should not be too small and cramped.
- It is recommended to spray the flower a couple of times a day. This rule must be observed during the heating season. Too dry air can cause the death of domestic plants.
Diseases and pests
Many beginner gardeners are interested in why the lower leaves turn yellow in an orchid? Perhaps this is due to their natural change. But the reason may lie in infectious diseases. Quite often, a store flower is struck. Before buying, try to inspect the plant as closely as possible.
There are three types of diseases:
Let's consider each of them in more detail.
Viral diseases
The danger of infection for home orchids is that it can be present for a long time without showing itself. The first sign of such a disease is the appearance of bright ovals, rings and stripes. Unfavorable conditions can provoke the virus. Unfortunately, such an ailment can completely destroy the plant.
Bacterial ailments
Another possible answer to the question: “Why do lower orchids turn yellow in winter?” - bacterial diseases. They are classified as non-dangerous ailments. However, they can not always be completely cured. They appear in the form of dark brown spots with a yellow rim. To cure an orchid, its first step is to isolate it from the rest of the plants. Then it is necessary to cut out the blackened areas and treat the wounds with activated carbon. If the disease is already running, the use of bactericides will be required. With proper treatment, if no new spots appear within two weeks, the orchid can be considered permanently cured.
Often, the plant affects such an unpleasant ailment as bacterial rot. It manifests itself in the form of wet brown or dark yellow spots. Do not delay with treatment. If everything is left to chance, then you can destroy the plant. If you find bacterial rot, then first you need to treat with hydrogen peroxide the place where the flower stood. The diseased culture is kept in isolation until complete recovery.
Fungal diseases
One of the most beloved plants of beginner gardeners is the Dendrobium orchid. Why do the leaves on this flower turn yellow? A common cause is fungal infections. They arise due to improper care. Such ailments can manifest themselves in different ways. Sometimes they are confused with burns. The treatment process begins with the removal of the affected areas. After this, it is necessary to treat them with ash or coal. Wounds after healing are sprayed with fungicide.
Yellowing due to burns
How to deal with it? Why do orchids turn yellow leaves at the base? Earlier, we examined the main reasons. But if spots appeared on the main part of the leaf, then, perhaps, the cause is a sunburn. Many people believe that orchids are photophilous, they can be placed under direct rays. These plants come from the rainforests. In the natural environment, they usually grow on trees, but far from the tops. Orchids need diffused light.
How to distinguish a burn from other diseases? First, a small brown spot appears on the sheet. Then yellowness gradually appears around it. The stain itself is dry and light in color. Most often it occurs in the central part of the leaf. The most common mistake among gardeners is the emergency removal of the entire plate, starting from the growth point. It contains many nutrients that can still be beneficial to the plant. In addition, such a yellow leaf does not pose any danger to the plant itself. You can safely leave it to grow further until it is completely dry.
Often the housewives are concerned about the presence of a yellow leaf on the plant. If this picture does not suit you from an aesthetic point of view, you can carefully cut the sheet, capturing about half a centimeter from the healthy part.
Is it possible to avoid sunburn and at the same time provide the plant with good lighting? This problem is solved using phytolamps. Simply install such a device over flower pots. In this case, the orchids will have enough light, and direct sunlight will not cause a burn. However, not every home has such a special light source. Therefore, there is no other way out than to keep orchids on a bright windowsill. It is best to place flower pots on the west or south side.
How else can you protect a flower from the occurrence of sunburn? Try to shade the plant. For this purpose, you can use a simple bright curtain. Better to use options made from cotton fabrics. White paper or thick tulle will also do just fine. There will be enough light, but the sun will not cause burns on the leaves.
Root decay
Why do orchids turn yellow? Another reason is rotting of the roots. Such a problem occurs with excessive waterlogging. The plant needs nutrition, and the roots function poorly. From the leaves begins the outflow of nutrients. The roots begin to soften and darken. Also, the flower begins to loosen freely in the pot.
In this case, you need to save home culture immediately. First, the orchid should be removed from the pot and shake off the old soil. Ruined roots must be cut with sterile scissors. Remove them to healthy tissues. Wounds should be cauterized with a simple medical brilliant green. You can also sprinkle cuts with activated carbon. Earth must also be replaced. It is better not to touch the yellow leaves until they are completely dry. In the future, try to prevent the gulf of the plant.
Finally
In this review, we examined why the leaves of orchids turn yellow. The problem may be a lack or excess of nutrients, improper lighting and watering. It is also possible that the plant is affected by a fungal or bacterial disease. The main thing is to correctly establish the cause of yellowing of the leaves and begin to deal with the problem in a timely manner. Provide proper care to domestic plants, and then no problems should arise with them.