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Why do orchids have wrinkled leaves? What to do? Orchid leaves wither: what to do

The process of wilting means the loss of stiffness, elasticity of leaves or flowers. At the same time, the leaves become like a rag, the turgor disappears, they are soft and dark green in color. The upper parts of the flower, young shoots, and stems bend down. Growth stops, the flower decreases in size. If you do not take action, then it will become dry and disappear (read about why leaves, roots and other parts of phalaenopsis dry and what to do about it).

What is the danger?

The appearance of wilting indicates ailments various kinds or natural processes. The main danger is to react to the first symptoms in time. Provide timely assistance to a sick phalaenopsis. Once the process has started, it is not so easy to revive the flower. The consequences are fraught with: drying out of the roots, development of infectious diseases, rotting of the root system, disruption of development, cessation of flowering, long-term adaptation.

Causes of wilting

The beautiful phalaenopsis loses its attractive appearance - a sad picture is created. Certainly, loss of leaf elasticity is associated with disruption of biochemical processes, but it’s worth understanding the factors:

If the leaves of your favorite orchid wither and fall off during the flowering period, in order to determine the root of the problem, you should understand the possible reasons:

  • natural aging process;
  • lack of lighting or sunburn;
  • improper watering;
  • damage;
  • spraying;
  • low air humidity;
  • hypothermia;
  • stress.

How to revive limp leaves and buds?

The foliage and flowers of the orchid are withering. Any gardener can face a similar problem. By understanding the reasons, you can find a way out of a difficult situation. Below you can familiarize yourself with the algorithm of actions in different cases.

Orchids come from the tropics, so it’s no surprise that they love warmth. However, everything is good in moderation. Do not leave the plant in direct sunlight or near a heating radiator. winter time, or under a stream of hot air from an air conditioner. An increase in soil temperature leads to the evaporation of moisture. And then, along the chain, root system didn't receive required quantity liquid, and accordingly the leaves and flowers are not saturated with useful substances. This process can happen in a matter of hours.

Measures taken:

  1. remove the orchid from a warm place;
  2. let cool for 2-3 hours;
  3. then water a little and spray the leaves;
  4. the plant can restore water balance for up to 5 days.

Too wet content

Excessive moisture - serious problem for plants., begins to lose leaves. The leaves become soft and less elastic. They fall off the stem, and the plant folds up like a construction set.

Attention! The main thing is to detect the disease in time and take everything urgently. necessary measures, and eliminate the cause of the spread of rot.

Measures taken:

  1. remove the flower from the pot;
  2. leave to dry overnight;
  3. transplant the orchid into new soil and a good drainage layer;
  4. Water only after the soil has dried.

Stress

A sudden change of residence for orchids is a bit of a shock. After all, at the same time, lighting, temperature, and air humidity change. And the plant immediately reacts to such changes. At first, the flower may stop blooming and shed its buds, but then everything will get better. It takes time to adapt.

Measures taken: optimize comfortable parameters for keeping phalaenopsis at home.

The substrate needs to be changed regularly, and the plant needs to be replanted every 2-3 years. During this time, the soil is depleted and its structure changes. Natural components begin to decompose, salts accumulate, and drainage holes become clogged. As a result, the soil becomes compressed, the air does not enrich the roots with oxygen, and the liquid stagnates. The root system begins to hurt, as a symptom - withered leaves and buds.

Measures taken:

  1. remove the flower from the pot;
  2. wash the roots under running water;
  3. remove damaged areas, treat sections with an antiseptic;
  4. leave to dry overnight;
  5. transplant the orchid into new soil enriched with minerals and a good drainage layer.

Lack of moisture

A lack of fluid can occur in the complete absence of watering. The plant vitally needs a minimum volume of water, which dissolves the minerals in the soil and nourishes the root system.

Measures taken:

  1. remove the orchid from the flowerpot;
  2. immerse in a basin of water until the earthen lump becomes limp;
  3. Please note that water should not get on the leaves;
  4. if necessary, place in a new pot.

Draft

Daily ventilation has a positive effect on the condition of phalaenopsis. But ventilation and draft are two different things. A draft is dangerous even for people, not to mention plants. Cold air flow can cause wilted flowers. The plant is susceptible to cooling, which can negatively affect it.

Important! It is not recommended to ventilate if the plant has just been watered or sprayed.

Measures taken: there is no need to place the orchid pot in places where cold air currents circulate.

Wilting as a result of cold air hitting the leaves is quite common. For example, when transporting a plant from a store to home, when the foliage comes into contact with glass, when it is -16ºC outside the window. It is dangerous if the orchid has been watered or sprayed with water beforehand. Hypothermia also provokes the shedding of buds and flowers. But do not despair, this phenomenon is short-lived.

Measures taken: wilted leaves cannot be treated. They definitely need to be eliminated. The plant does not need replanting. Just move it to a warmer place and don’t forget about regular moisturizing.

When is it too late to save?

In 90% of cases, leaf wilting occurs due to problems with the root system. According to the degree of damage, they are divided into mild, moderate, and severe. It is difficult for inexperienced flower growers to immediately determine the stage of the disease. To do this, you need to pull the plant by the stem, trying to pull it out. If this is difficult to do, then the problem is not in the roots. The condition of the orchid can be restored by adjusting its care. If it was not difficult to get a flower, then it is too late to take rescue measures.

Happened:

  • serious atrophy of plant tissues that cannot be restored;
  • the main part of the root system died due to lack of fluid.

You will learn how to save phalaenopsis and grow roots if they have died.

What to do for prevention?

Avoid similar unpleasant situations is possible only with and for the orchid as a whole.

  1. Maintaining a comfortable temperature in summer: +22-25ºС, in winter +16-18ºС. The difference in temperature differences should not exceed 5ºС.
  2. Lighting is required diffused, with a daylight duration of 14 hours. In the summer, intense sunlight needs to be shaded.
  3. Humidity within 50-60%. Be sure to regularly ventilate the room.
  4. Water once a week; in between, the soil should dry out completely.
  5. Orchids need to be fertilized 2 times a month, especially during the flowering period. Use fertilizers with a predominant content of potassium and iron.
  6. It is better to spray phalaenopsis up to 5 times a day. Avoid the procedure during the flowering period.

Useful video

Further visual video on the topic: “Why do orchid leaves wither and what to do?”:

Conclusion

No matter how trivial it sounds, We advise you not to neglect the basic rules for caring for orchids. After all tropical beauty It’s quite difficult to adapt to our climate, she needs help. In the absence of comfortable parameters, the orchid will be exposed and die. Love your flowers and they will love you back.

Phalaenopsis orchid is an indoor plant that delights with its long and charming flowering. But the flower may be subject to various diseases, and improper care leads to its death. You can often observe that the leaves of the phalaenopsis orchid turn yellow and wither. There are many reasons for this: improper watering, disease, dry soil. Care for the flower should be established.

  • Show all

    Causes of yellowing of phalaenopsis leaves

    Improper care of an orchid affects its condition. The leaves of the phalaenopsis orchid turn yellow and wither for the following reasons:

    1. 1. Improper watering and lighting.
    2. 2. Overdose or lack of feeding.
    3. 3. Infections and pests.
    4. 4. Age.
    5. 5. Small flowerpot.
    6. 6. Stressful conditions.

    Improper watering

    Insufficient or overwatering orchids affects general view and the condition of the flower. The roots of a flower are directly related to the color of the foliage. If the plant is constantly flooded, the leaves become soft and gradually begin to turn yellow. There are damp spots on them. Only replanting into a new substrate will help save the plant.

    The reason for the formation of yellowness on the lower leaves is a dried earthen lump.

    In this case, you need to pay attention to the method of watering. It is not recommended to water the plant from a watering can, since the water flows directly into the pan, the bark is not wetted, and the roots do not have time to drink. The plant begins to draw moisture and nutrients from old leaves. The result is softness and yellowness of the lower leaves. To cure the plant, you should change the watering method. The most beneficial watering is to immerse the flower in a deep tray of water.

    If watering is regular, the method is chosen correctly, but the orchid becomes covered yellow spots, then you should pay attention to the hardness of the water. If you water frequently with hard water, the substrate will begin to become salty. This will cause the plant to stop absorbing iron and functional chlorosis to develop. In this condition, the lower leaf of the flower will first begin to turn yellow, and then the color change will affect the rest of the greenery. Eventually the leaves will fall off.

    For treatment, it is necessary to transplant the flower into new soil and carry out foliar feeding: the leaves should be washed with fertilizers such as Pocon, Bona Forte. Replanting is only required when the plant does not bloom. U blooming orchids The substrate should be cleaned of salts with distilled water. This water must be diluted with tap water in a 1:1 ratio.

    After a short period of time, the leaves of the phalaenopsis will fall off, and new ones will appear in their place.

    Lighting problems

    If the leaves of the flower begin to lengthen and their color turns light green, this indicates that the plant is suffering due to lack of lighting. It is very simple to correct this situation: just move the pot to a more illuminated place. In winter and autumn, you can illuminate the plant using a phytolamp.

    The flower should not be kept in direct sunlight. The plant will probably get burned, its foliage will become covered with yellow spots, they will become soft and the phalaenopsis will die after a while.

    Fertilizer overdose

    Often in stores, flowers are often fed with growth stimulants to make phalaenopsis look more advantageous. Two years after purchase, you can find the plant beginning to fade. Within a few days, only roots may remain from the plant, and the leaves and stem will wither.

    To save the plant, it is necessary to place the phalaenopsis in a warm and well-lit place. The first two weeks should not feed the flower. After fifteen days, you can begin to fertilize the orchid with a solution that should be diluted 50% with water. First you need to increase the greenery of the flower; to do this, you should feed the plant with preparations containing high content nitrogen. When using a high concentration of fertilizing, the substrate with roots should be watered with running water. You can start feeding again after six weeks.

    Lack or excess of substances

    Yellow leaves may appear due to a lack of potassium. The orchid has little of this substance, so it begins to use reserves from old leaves. Over time, yellowness will affect the entire flower and the leaves will fall off. The plant will be helped by replanting in new land and fertilizing with fertilizer high in potassium.

    Excess calcium negatively affects the tips of leaves. They turn yellow and fall off. This happens due to the fact that they are incorrectly selected mineral fertilizers. To treat the plant, it is necessary to avoid fertilizers with calcium and prefer a special fertilizer for orchids.

    Lack of iron affects the yellowness of the leaves. The poverty of the substrate forces the plant to turn to old leaves for nutrients. To help the plant, it is necessary to feed the orchid with complementary foods high in iron.

    Infections and pests

    In addition to improper care, phalaenopsis is subject to fungal and infectious invasions and damage from insects that like to feed on plant sap.

    Fungi and infections can form on the plant due to improper care. Diseases and pests that can be found in orchids:

    Other causes of yellow leaves

    There may be other reasons for changes in foliage color:

    1. 1. Age. Over time, the orchid may have yellowed bottom leaves. This indicates that they have become old. This process is natural; you just need to remove the yellowed leaf.
    2. 2. Narrow flowerpot. Phalaenopsis leaves begin to turn yellow due to the fact that the pot for it has become small. You just need to transplant the orchid into a pot that will be two centimeters wider than the previous one.
    3. 3. Stressful conditions. Phalaenopsis does not like when its location changes, temperature and light conditions change. The flower begins to experience stress, which is determined by its yellowed leaves. The leaves will become healthy again if the plant is allowed to acclimatize and optimize living conditions.
    4. 4. Substrate compaction. Over time, the bark that makes up the orchid's substrate begins to deteriorate, and the plant experiences oxygen starvation. The leaves are starting to turn yellow. Subsequently, the plant dies. To prevent this, it is necessary to update the substrate every three years.
    5. 5. Overheating of the root system. Yellow and flabby foliage becomes due to overheating of the roots. The reason is direct sunlight, hot air from batteries. The plant is drying out. The substrate dries out and the roots cool, which inhibits moisture absorption. In order for the plant to come to its senses, it is necessary to remove it from central heating or direct sun rays. Leave the orchid alone for three hours. At this time, you cannot spray or water it. It takes up to four days for the leaves to return to their previous appearance.
    6. 6. Damage to the root system. Yellowness is formed due to damaged roots. To understand whether this is so, you need to slightly move the plant from side to side. If the orchid sits tightly in the ground, then there is dehydration of the root system. The plant must be placed in a tray with water whose temperature will be from 30 to 40 degrees for an hour. Then you need to completely water the plant. warm water. Afterwards, accumulated water should be removed from the cores and axils between the leaves and placed in a bright place where the temperature will be from 18 to 25 degrees. It will happen in 2–3 days full recovery phalaenopsis leaves. If the orchid moves from side to side when moving, then you need to remove it from the pot and examine it for damaged roots. All rotten roots should be removed. The cut areas are treated with activated carbon powder or other antiseptic preparations that do not contain alcohol. The remaining part of the flower should be planted in fresh soil.

The most popular flower among lovers indoor plants is an orchid. The flowers come in a variety of colors and will perfectly decorate any interior at any time of the year.

When propagating an orchid at home, the plant needs careful care.

Many indoor plant lovers are faced with various problems when caring for an orchid. The most common problem is flower wilting.

There are many reasons why an orchid's leaves fade. After purchasing an orchid, after some time, the leaves of the plant begin to wither.

This is due to the fact that the growing conditions do not meet the requirements of the plant. The main reasons for orchid wilting:

  • insufficient lighting
  • exposure to other plants
  • lack or excess of nutrients
  • excess moisture
  • natural shedding of leaves
  • overheating of the root system

Orchid heat-loving plant, so she needs good lighting. The flower feels great in bright, diffused rays.


If the orchid is located in a shaded place or is exposed to direct sunlight, this can also cause the plant to wilt. In this case, the orchid does not have enough lighting.

If the plant is located next to peperomia, yucca, cordilina, then the influence of these plants negatively affects the condition of the orchid. Therefore, it is not recommended to place an orchid next to the above plants.

The leaves of the plant may turn yellow due to a lack or excess of fertilizers. When choosing a fertilizer, you should pay attention to the composition.

If the fertilizer contains a low potassium content, the orchid's leaves first become pale, then acquire a yellow tint. As a result, they dry out and begin to fall off.

Plant nutrition should be chosen that contains iron and potassium, since these elements are the most necessary for the development of the plant.

Excess moisture may cause the plant to wilt. The roots of plants must be constantly monitored so that they do not rot.

If the leaves become limp and yellowish, but the general condition of the plant has not changed, then they may fall off for natural reasons.

This is not a sign of plant death. This wilting is not dangerous and is typical for some types of orchids.

When exposed to high temperatures, hot air, and sunlight, the plant quickly heats up.

At the same time, the orchid begins to evaporate moisture through the pores of the leaves. The plant's bark also heats up and the roots cool, causing water absorption to slow down or stop.

Due to various factors, the root system can be damaged, which can lead to death. Root damage can be mild, moderate, or severe.

Taking this into account, it is necessary to take measures to restore the orchid. To avoid problems, it is necessary to comply with the requirements for the care and maintenance of the plant. It is important to eliminate in time the reason why the leaves begin to turn yellow.

To revive the plant and prevent problems in the future, you need to:

  1. To prevent the leaves from turning yellow and falling off after purchasing the plant, it is necessary to exclude bait in the first days.
  2. It is better to place the orchid pot in a bright place. The fertilizer composition must be diluted with water in equal proportions. Then after some time you can feed nitrogen fertilizer.
  3. The problem of lack of light can be easily solved. To do this, you need to place the pot on the south side.
  4. If the yellowness of the light is associated with insufficient lighting, then the affected leaves must be cut off. If the stem turns brown, then not only the leaves, but also the top of the orchid should be cut off.

After this, the plant will begin to recover. It is necessary to pay attention to air humidity. This is the most important and basic condition for maintaining a plant. Orchids need high humidity air especially during the heating period in winter.

From proper watering depends on the growth, flowering and development of the orchid. It is advisable to take soft water room temperature. Water only when the substrate becomes dry. Therefore, it is important to remember to check the soil for the presence or absence of moisture. If overheated, the plant should be placed deep into the room and left for several hours.

Using a spray bottle and watering the plant is strictly prohibited, as this can cause even more harm.

The orchid must cool down before watering. It will take several days to establish the water balance. If after watering the plant does not recover on the first day, there is no need to panic.

If the cause of plant wilting is related to damage to the roots, then the following measures should be taken:

  1. You need to move the plant slightly in one direction or the other.
  2. If the root sits tightly, then the reason may be dehydration. The root system in in this case it will still be possible to save. To do this, pour water at room temperature into a basin and place the pot with the plant.
  3. The orchid should recover within a few days. If the plant dangles freely, then you need to take it out and look for the presence of living roots.
  4. All rotten roots must be removed. It happens that only part of the root is damaged. To do this, cut off the rotten and dry part of the plant, and treat the cut activated carbon, sulfur or antiseptics, without alcohol.
  5. If the plant has one healthy root, transplant it into a small container and place it in a lighted place.

The plant should be watered as the substrate dries. To prevent the orchid from wilting, you must adhere to the rules and recommendations for caring for the plant. Then the orchid will delight you with its beautiful flowers for a long time.

Video about what to do if the orchid withers:


ogorodsadovod.com

What to do and why the leaves of an indoor orchid dry

Withering and drying of the leaves of the phalaenopsis orchid can occur due to various reasons. The leaves of an orchid, like those of all other plants, grow, perform their functions, and then age and die. Therefore, there is no need to worry and do anything if the lower leaf turns yellow and dries out, it will give the plant all the accumulated nutrients, and it can be removed only if it has completely dried out. This is a natural process, nothing to worry about.

But when an orchid’s leaves wither all at once, sometimes this can happen very quickly, literally in a few hours, which means there is cause for concern. The cause may be stress from changes in living conditions, for example, flower shop changed to an apartment with a different level of lighting and humidity. After transplanting into another substrate, flowers may also react with noticeable wilting for several hours. Even if you move an orchid from one windowsill to another, its leaves will react. Careful observation of the plant over time will show whether there is cause for concern.

If the orchid stands on a windowsill on the south side and is exposed to direct sunlight, the leaves may get burned or dry out from overheating. When too high temperature air, heated from nearby heating devices Moisture evaporates very quickly and the plant withers starting from the leaves.

Insufficient air humidity, even at a comfortable temperature, will cause the leaves to lose moisture, which means they will begin to wither and then dry out.

Violations of the watering regime cause root diseases, and if the roots do not fulfill their main function, do not nourish the plant, then the leaves release nutrients. With excessive watering, the substrate rots, becomes compacted, and this leads to rotting of the roots. And if there is insufficient watering, the roots simply dry out. Too hard water often causes problems - impurities settle on the substrate and roots, which prevents the absorption of moisture. Excessive salinity contributes a large number of fertilizers

Wondering why the orchid withered leaves, you need to carefully examine them, the cause may be small pests feeding on the sap of the plant.

How to restore an orchid

When overheating becomes the cause of drying of the leaves, it is clear what to do - the flowers need to be taken out into a room with a comfortable temperature of +17 to +24 degrees with sufficient but diffused lighting. There is no need to water until they have cooled to normal temperature.

If the air humidity level is below 50%, then you need to install an electric humidifier or simply frequently spray the leaves and peduncle (being careful not to get it on the flowers) with warm, soft water using the finest mesh spray bottle. Next to the flowerpot you need to place a container of water for constant evaporation.

If the leaves have dried out due to damage to the roots, the plant must be moved carefully - the overdried substrate will not allow them to move. In this case, you need to generously fill the orchid with warm water and leave the pot in the water for an hour. After this, you can painlessly remove the plant and inspect the roots. Healthy roots They have a greenish color of varying intensity and an elastic structure.

White color indicates that they require moisture, but the wrinkled, brown, dried roots do not fulfill their function. Yellow, brown, red slippery roots are obvious rotting. All dead roots must be cut with a sharp sterile instrument down to living tissue, and the cut areas must be treated with cinnamon powder or activated (charcoal) ground into dust. After this, the orchid can be planted in a new substrate.

Prevention

The very first thing we must do for an exotic beauty is to create comfortable conditions. It requires diffused sunlight, an air temperature within +17–24 degrees, a humidity level of 70–80%, a properly selected substrate, and a reasonable watering regime. Watering is done when the roots change green color to white, it’s not for nothing that they use transparent dishes with many holes so that the water does not stagnate and air gets freely to the roots. We must not forget about regular replanting with a complete replacement of the soil.

For watering and spraying, you can use only clean, soft warm water. If it doesn’t flow from the tap, then it needs to be filtered or settled; sometimes you have to first settle it, then boil it.

Don't get carried away with feeding. After shopping for 1.5–2 months, you don’t need to feed anything, then you need to use special fertilizers, just dilute them more than what is written in the instructions.

Video “Orchid leaves are drying”

From this video you will learn what to do if the leaves of an orchid dry out.

grow-me.ru

What to do if the leaves of an orchid wither

  • Finally

The fact that the leaves of an orchid wither are very often encountered by people who purchased this flower for the first time. An orchid is a beautiful plant that literally everyone has. experienced florist or a person of good taste. It can decorate even the most beautiful flower greenhouse, as it is very original and exotic flower. Orchids grow unusually on a long stem beautiful flowers. They have a large number bright colors. The contemplation of such a magnificent plant brings aesthetic pleasure. But, probably, everyone knows that this is a rather whimsical flower that requires special attention and care.

The orchid is a rather capricious flower in its care.

Why do orchid leaves wither and turn yellow?

Owners of orchids often encounter a problem when the leaves of the plant begin to turn yellow for no particular reason. But there are still reasons.

Sometimes yellowing and falling of leaves is a normal physiological process of dying. This is a completely natural genetic quality of a flower. The speed at which this period occurs depends on both the variety and the age of the plant.

The orchid really needs diffused lighting, so when there is little sun, use ultraviolet lamps.

The cause of leaf wilting may be the placement of nearby flowers that negatively affect the orchid. Pelargonium, yucca or araucaria should not be placed next to each other.

The process of leaf wilting may occur due to lack of sunlight. Bright light vital for the orchid, since it is very thermophilic. In case of lack of light, the leaves begin to turn yellow and the stem deteriorates. To save the flower, you have to completely cut off its top. This is a very difficult procedure, and after it you need to wait quite a long time until the orchid is completely restored.

Despite its love for the sun, the orchid should not be exposed to direct sunlight, the light should be diffused. Under the influence of intense rays, spots in the form of burns appear on the leaves and the flower withers. Therefore, in order to avoid negative consequences you need to choose the right lighting.

Potassium compounds are used as fertilizer for orchids.

The yellowing of leaves may be due to a lack of fertilizer or an incorrectly selected product. An orchid needs a certain amount of potassium, so a lack of it leads to yellowing and falling leaves.

The question arises, why is potassium so important? The answer is simple. It is precisely this that is necessary in order to launch a full-fledged process of renewal of old cells. This will extend the life of the flower and enjoy its flowering.

Methods for restoring orchid leaves

Even if you notice that the plant has begun to wilt, do not rush to get rid of it. Proper care will help restore it, and it will delight you with its flowering for a long time.

To restore an orchid, dried leaves, roots and tendrils are trimmed.

If you notice that the orchid's roots are drying, this means that it lacks moisture. Cut off all dried aerial roots and treat the cut areas with cinnamon powder or crushed activated carbon.

After this, place the pot with the plant in a container with warm, settled water for 2-3 hours. During this time, the plant will absorb required amount moisture.

Try to maintain a room with orchids optimal level humidity. In the cold season, when on central heating, the air can be very dry, which is detrimental to orchids. To humidify the air, use a special electric humidifier. If it is not there, then regularly humidify the air around the orchids using a spray bottle. You can also place a container of water next to the flowers. The water will evaporate during the day, which will slightly humidify the air.

Take an ordinary magnifying glass and carefully examine the leaves: perhaps the orchid has unwanted “neighbors”. If pests are identified, be sure to treat the plant with special means.

Watering the orchid is carried out carefully, to the roots.

If your orchid's leaves are wrinkled, then most of the plant's roots may be dry or drying out. If you cannot see the condition of the roots through the walls of the pot, then the plant needs to be pulled out of the container in which it is planted. If the roots are overdried or rotten, they must be cut off and treated with activated carbon and an anti-rotting agent. After this, the orchid is planted in new soil.

If you recently purchased a flower and noticed that unopened buds dry out and fall off, then, most likely, the plant suffered a noticeable temperature difference during transportation or received a serious thermal burn. In this case, trim the stem of the plant so that it directs all its energy to its restoration, and not to flowering. If there is insufficient lighting, be sure to install a special lamp above the flower and apply fertilizer once a week.

Finally

The orchid is a very responsive flower. She responds very well to attentive care. Don't think that it is very complicated. It is enough to devote 5-10 minutes a day to it.

Every day, check whether the soil is moistened, wipe the leaves with a damp cotton cloth, and humidify the air around the flower.

Water the plant regularly and apply fertilizer, trim off dried roots and yellowed stems in a timely manner. All these actions will help restore faded leaves and stimulate the growth of new ones.

www.dom-klumba.ru

Why do the leaves and stem of an orchid turn yellow, what to do if the root dries out and the buds fall off (photo,)

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LadyVeka.ru » Home » Plants » Indoor »

Causes of diseases and treatment of orchid leaves and roots

Every orchid owner has at least once encountered in practice the fact that the leaves of a plant, its stem or buds suddenly, for no apparent reason, turn yellow, become lethargic and lifeless. Of course, this also affects the general condition of the flower; not all flower growers, unfortunately, know what needs to be done, and whether it is necessary at all. But it is undesirable to let such “diseases” happen. Any disease sooner or later affects the roots of plants, and ours is with you the main task- don’t let this happen, don’t let the pain go deep.

Before you start talking about why orchid leaves turn yellow, it’s worth clarifying what types of these beautiful plants are most often grown at home.

The most popular varieties of orchids

In residential areas, it is customary to plant varieties of orchids such as dendrobium or phalaenopsis (epiphytic orchids), slippers or cymbidums (epiphytic), as well as calanthe (ground orchid). For the most part, for some reason, they are the most popular among fans indoor flowers dendrobium and phalaenopsis. The choice of amateur gardeners usually falls on these varieties, since they require minimal care. This is especially important if you have just started to get interested in planting flowers and do not yet have much experience in caring for them. The unpretentious dendrobium is perfect for noobs. Naturally, you, as the owner, will need to know all the “behavioral features” of your flower, including those related to care, seasonal changes, flowering and changing leaves.

How to care for an orchid?

Orchids do not require any too intrusive and careful care. They can easily live on the windowsill and feel good there with the correct watering regime and regular feeding. If you decide to arrange a separate “house” for them with all the conditions - an orchidarium - so much the better! It is advisable to do it in a bright room, and ideally after consulting with a specialist. However, even in the most luxurious conditions With all the “conveniences,” the plant can sometimes get sick.

Yellow leaves - are they dangerous?

In general, the yellowing of leaves in itself different plants is not a reason to sound the alarm. Leaves regularly die and fall off; this is a completely natural process.

There should be cause for concern only if the leaves turn yellow too often, even when young, and if the yellowing covers a significant part of the plant's body. And also if there are any side effects - roots rot, buds fall off, etc.

To know for sure whether everything is okay with your orchid, experts recommend remembering how long the leaves of your orchid variety live. For example, if it is a phalaenopsis, then the change of “plumage” occurs at least once a year. First the leaves turn yellow, then dry out, lose their shape and fall off. That is, if your phalaenopsis began to shed its bottom sheets, know that everything is fine, he is just getting rid of dead cells. If we are talking about dendrobium, it is worth remembering that the norm for it will be to change leaves twice a year, most often immediately after it has bloomed, but sometimes during the dormant period.

Why do they turn yellow?

Let's move on directly to the conversation about why the leaves of an orchid turn yellow and what to do about it. This can happen for a number of reasons:

If an orchid's leaves turn yellow, the best treatment in this case would be to normalize the flower's life pattern and change its care depending on the reasons for the yellowing.

Phalaenopsis orchid is an exceptionally beautiful and most popular hybrid home orchid. These amazing plants differ from other house flowers, and they require special care.

No matter where you get your phalaenopsis orchid from, it wouldn’t hurt to quarantine it for a month just in case and place it away from other representatives of the home greenhouse. Phalaenopsis are considered unpretentious, but it happens that the plant begins to...

Having discovered that the leaves of the phalaenopsis orchid are withering, wrinkled, covered in spots, or otherwise changing, the caring owner tries to figure out what needs to be done in such cases.

The leaves of the phalaenopsis orchid have wrinkled, what to do?

At some point, you may notice that your pet's leaves withered and began to wrinkle. It’s not so difficult to understand why the leaves are wrinkled: most likely, it lacks moisture. You need to reconsider the principle of watering and spraying the plant and, most likely, everything will work out very quickly.

Important! If after the first watering the situation has not improved, then the problem is not in the water, and you need to look for another cause of the flower’s disease.

If you are sure that watering is normal, but the orchid evaporates moisture too actively, you need to choose a cooler place for it. There is a “first aid” recipe for such cases: sugar syrup . Dilute four teaspoons of sugar in a glass of water, apply with a brush in several layers to the lower surface of the sheet overnight. Be sure to wash it off in the morning: the plant must breathe.
You can use this recipe 2-3 times, but only if the leaf does not have mechanical damage, and if you are sure that the disease was not caused by any microorganisms, because sugar is an excellent nutrient medium.

Why do the leaves of the phalaenopsis orchid wither, damage to the root system

If you have watered and irrigated your plant well, but the leaves don’t seem to be getting better, and even seem to look worse, look at the root. When an orchid has flabby, limp, soft, yellowing and dying leaves, the cause is almost always in the roots.

Did you know? The phalaenopsis orchid is a very tenacious plant; it is able to recover even with one 5-6 cm root. If there are no roots left at all, but the orchid is not exhausted to the limit, even in this case you can try to revive it.

Softness may indicate a lack of calcium or phosphorus, but damaged roots are the most likely and common (9 out of 10 cases) reason why an orchid has soft leaves. You should carefully move the orchid in the pot, checking whether it is firmly in the soil. If it “wobbles” like a sore tooth, it means that the root system has suffered considerable damage.
You need to remove the orchid from the pot and carefully examine the roots. Dry, rotten, slimy and decaying roots should be removed with a sharp, clean knife to healthy tissue. Treat the cut with crushed charcoal or an antiseptic without alcohol. You cannot feed the plant until the wounds are completely healed.

Important! If you treat the cuts with a substance containing alcohol, it will spread through the capillaries, causing irreparable harm to the already unhealthy plant.

Causes of spots on phalaenopsis leaves

One day you may discover that your orchid has spots on its leaves. These may be burn marks, as well as areas of viral, bacterial or fungal infection. The last two can be difficult to distinguish from each other, since the symptoms are very similar: both pathogens leave spots on the leaves of the phalaenopsis orchid.

Did you know? Main distinguishing feature fungal infections - no odor.

The appearance of spots can be a serious problem not for one plant, but for the entire home greenhouse, since infectious diseases contagious. If you suspect this, you should not panic. First you need to isolate the plant with signs of disease, then figure out why the spots appear on the leaves. Depending on the pathogen, they have different appearances.

Transparent spots on orchid leaves. Spots appear on the leaf, dry out and become transparent. Most likely this is fungal infection, however, it can also be viral.
Brown spots on the leaves of a phalaenopsis orchid. Fungal infection - small spots Brown, which increase in size and, in the end, the orchid’s leaves completely turn brown. Viral infections can begin with brown spots, which as the disease progresses become black and depressed in appearance.
Wet, watery spots with a yellow rim on orchid leaves– most likely bacterial soft rot (Erwinia). It smells like rotting vegetables, it develops rapidly - before you know it, the orchid leaves have already become watery and lifeless. It starts with a small spot. Wet spots may be due to heat or sunburn. Such damage has a dark rim. They do not recover and are not dangerous in terms of infection, although they spoil the appearance of the flower. If stains appear due to burns or other mechanical damage, you should review the maintenance regime and avoid this in the future. If the plant is infected, immediate measures should be taken.
Black spots appeared on the leaves of the orchid. Blackening spots on your orchid are a sign of late blight, chlorosis, phyllostictosis (black spot) and other dangerous fungal diseases. A viral infection can also manifest itself as black spots.
If the trunk of the orchid turns black, this is most likely black rot - the most dangerous fungal disease. She loves flowers that have already been weakened by some disease and joins this disease with pleasure. If a significant part of the plant is affected, it is no longer possible to save it. The cause of this disease is low temperature. Treatment consists of removing the affected parts with processing of the cuts, replacing the substrate, disinfecting the pot, isolating it from other plants and strict monitoring of the entire greenhouse. Of course, you need to create the most favorable conditions for plants.

Important! Regardless of the pathogen, the diseased plant should be quarantined away from other house flowers and be as attentive as possible to the conditions of its maintenance: lighting, watering, fertilizing, air circulation. Cut off the damaged areas with a sterile instrument to healthy tissue.

General principles of treatment depending on the pathogen.

  • Bacterial diseases. Reduced air humidity, additional circulation. Removing the affected tissue with a sterile instrument. Treatment for at least five days with a bactericidal agent: streptocide, furatsilin, gentamicin, etc.
  • Viral infections. Specific treatment viral infections does not exist, therapy is aimed at removing fragments affected by the disease, creating favorable conditions and strengthening the immune system.
  • Fungi. Cutting off diseased parts with a sterile instrument, stopping spraying until completely cured, treatment fungicidal preparations not in a preventive, but in a therapeutic concentration.

The orchid's leaves have become limp and soft

Provided that the roots are not damaged, the causes of this disease may be the following:

  1. Overheating of roots. The pot with the plant should be moved to a cooler place and left alone for an hour or two. The main thing is gradualism; in no case should you suddenly cool the orchid. After resting, it should be watered and irrigated abundantly. This procedure may take several days for complete recovery.
  2. Excessive amount or lack of moisture. In these cases, you need to change your fluid intake regimen. When watering, you need to focus not so much on the timing, but on the condition of the substrate, the drying of which can be influenced by many factors.
  3. Too much or too little fertilizer. A high concentration of fertilizer can burn the roots of the plant. If you have “overfed” the orchid and understand that this is the cause of the disease, you should completely replace the substrate, inspect the roots and remove the damaged ones. If the flower is “underfed”, you need to adjust the system. Keep in mind that damaged parts of the plant will not be able to recover.
  4. Required. If there are too many roots in the pot, the substrate has oxidized, caked and lost its main function - air permeability, the plant needs to be replanted because it has begun to suffocate. Another reason is that the substrate may be infected with a soil fungus.

Indoor types of orchids have high degree environmental plasticity and easily adapt to home environment. But under too stressful conditions the biochemical processes, the leaves wither, dry out and die over time.

If your flower suffers such trouble, it is usually due to improper care. In this article we will look at why leaves lose their elasticity and what to do in each specific case.

Under the influence of most negative factors, it is the lower leaf plates that become soft first. If the plant lacks moisture and nutrition, and the root system cannot compensate for the shortage, resources are redistributed from the leaves below. Their nutritional supply reaches the top.

Most often, orchid leaves wither and turn yellow for the following reasons:

  1. lack of moisture;
  2. overheat;
  3. frostbite;
  4. problems with roots;
  5. excess water;
  6. diseases.

Note: if you bought a new orchid, a month-long quarantine will not hurt it. This time will be enough to ensure her health.

Lack of moisture

Orchids are native to the tropics, so they need moist soil combined with warmth to thrive. If watering is not organized correctly, the filling of leaf cells with moisture is reduced, the leaves wither and become lifeless.

To solve the problem, it is enough to water the orchid. For this:

  • prepare a container filled with warm, pre-settled water;
  • immerse the pot there - the level should be “up to the shoulders”;
  • do warm shower– irrigate the orchid over the entire leaf area;
  • depending on the size, leave the pot in water for 1-3 hours so that the substrate is completely saturated with moisture;
  • take out the flower, let the water drain completely, blot the excess on the leaves with a cotton cloth;
  • Place the orchid on a warm, well-lit windowsill.

To avoid a repeat of the situation, water the flower as the soil dries.

Note: the speed of drying of the substrate is affected by its composition, looseness, and the temperature at which the plant is kept.

Overheat

When the room is too hot, the soil quickly heats up, causing active evaporation of water, the roots dry out and cannot absorb moisture. The orchid evaporates water, but the root system does not compensate for it. Within a few hours, the tissues lose their elasticity and wrinkle. The flower withers, losing its appearance.

When exposed to direct rays of the sun, a burn is possible, in which the leaf tissues are damaged, turn yellow and wither.

If the orchid is overheated, you need to follow 3 steps to save it:

  1. Place in a cool place away from sunny window for at least 2-3 hours.
  2. Only after complete cooling should the plant be watered and sprayed with warm water.
  3. Place the pot on a windowsill out of direct sunlight.

It takes time to restore water balance and regeneration, so the result will be noticeable only for 3-4 days.

Important point! Under no circumstances should you cool heated leaves from a spray bottle. Such actions can cause the appearance of glassy areas, tissue damage, and death. sheet plates and escapes.

Frostbite

All varieties of tropical exotics cannot tolerate sub-zero temperatures. Therefore, if in winter, when ventilating, you forgot to close the balcony, window, or your heating was suddenly turned off, the orchid will inevitably freeze and begin to wither.

At minus temperatures, the water in the cells freezes, expands, and irreversibly injures the tissue. As a result, frostbite occurs, the leaves wither and die before our eyes. The critical temperature for orchids is -15º C; once exposed to it, it is useless to save the flower.

Treatment of frostbitten areas consists of removing damaged tissue. The affected areas are completely cut out, and the cut areas are treated with crushed coal.

Note! Transplantation should not be carried out during this period, so as not to take away from the plant the strength needed for recovery.

Problems with roots

If the conditions for keeping orchids are not observed, the horse system may dry out or rot. This will immediately affect the condition of the leaves - they wither, wrinkle, turn yellow and die. The roots are damaged due to drying out and stagnant waterlogging of the substrate, when applying too concentrated fertilizer.

First, carry out a diagnosis: remove the orchid from the pot and inspect the root system. Signs of healthy roots: light, slightly greenish tint, dense and elastic structure. On diseased roots there are wrinkled, dried out or moist brown mucous areas, from which liquid is released when squeezed.

For any of these lesions, the orchid must be treated. To do this, a transplant is made:

  1. Remove the plant from the pot and carefully examine the roots.
  2. Use a sharp knife to remove any dried or rotten areas.
  3. Treat the sections with activated carbon crushed to a powder state.
  4. Plant the orchid in specially prepared soil.
  5. Wipe the wilted leaves succinic acid, diluted in water. This measure will help quickly restore elasticity.

After transplantation, do not water for 3 days; you can start feeding in a month.

Note: soil mixtures for orchids do not contain soil; their main task is to ensure the stability of the flower and create conditions close to natural.

In nature, representatives of the orchid family grow on tree trunks, so the main component of the substrate is rough parts of the bark coniferous species providing nutrition and aeration.

The remaining components provide moisture capacity, so their proportions depend on air humidity. If the room is humid, you can get by with just bark, adding about 5% coal. When the air is dry, sphagnum and peat with a low salt content are introduced.

There is a ready-made universal substrate for sale, intended for orchid plants. When purchasing, it is advisable to choose mixtures without artificial ingredients.

Excess water

In a natural tropical environment, orchid roots are wet almost daily by warm showers and dried by air circulation. When growing at home, try to keep the conditions close to natural. This means that the substrate must have good aeration and drainage to ventilate the roots.

One of the main enemies of orchids is stagnant waterlogging. When water stagnates in a pot or even a tray, the roots will certainly begin to rot. This will immediately affect the leaves - they will become soft and begin to wither.

To understand the extent of the damage, first diagnose and take measures:

  • move the orchid if it sits tightly in the pot - the roots are still alive, it is enough not to water the plants for some time (until the substrate dries);
  • if the planting mixture is too compacted, it is advisable to replace it after drying the roots;
  • if the flower wobbles from side to side, the root system is damaged, it needs to be treated as in the previous section.

Note: in order not to flood the plant, determine the watering time by the dryness of the substrate mixture, and not by the calendar. In summer and winter (with heating), drying can occur faster than in the spring-autumn period.

Diseases

Orchids rarely get sick, however, if there is a lack of care, weakened specimens can become infected. At the same time, spots appear on the leaves, they wither, and subsequently die. Treatment consists of removing infected areas, using antiseptics and fungicides, and disinfecting the pot.

Please note: most types of mites only appear in dry air, when the leaves wither and become soft. Therefore, maintain humidity, regularly spray the orchid, and make sure that there is no overheating.

To get rid of small pests, carry out a series of treatments with insecticides diluted in the highest possible concentration. Systemic or contact-intestinal agents are suitable for this purpose. Treatments are carried out three times, with an interval of 10-12 days. In this case, all house plants should be sprayed.

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