Most gardeners get stressed by thinking about why are my orchid leaves turning yellow. You may plant orchids with the hope of seeing beautiful flowers. But due to several reasons, your orchid leaves turn yellow and fall.
But don’t worry! There are ways to prevent and solve the yellow leaves problem. So let’s go deep into the problem and find its solution.
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How to Identify & Solve Orchid Leaves Turning Yellow Problem
Are you facing an orchid leaf turning yellow situation? It’s a sign of an unhealthy orchid plant. But it’s expected when you are cultivating orchid plants. That’s why you must be careful and focus on your plant’s atmosphere.
There are some vital reasons why orchid leaves turn yellow. It will be best to examine the plants to identify those reasons closely. It can be an overwatering problem, insufficient sunlight, or an insect attack.
Once you understand the problem, find a solution. In this modern age, there are suitable medicines, and experts can advise you on how to solve plant-related issues.
Some of the most common and possible solutions are shown below :
Excessive Light
Plants require sunlight to grow and bloom. But too much sunlight is harmful.
Especially for orchids, the time measurement for sunlight is necessary. It makes the leaf yellow and affects plant health badly.
How to Solve :
Bring your orchid plant container into the shade. Don’t let it be in the sun for a long time. Even if your plant is near your window or door and leaves turn yellow, bring it home.
They can also grow well in artificial light. Direct sunlight is also necessary. Put them under the sun for a limited time.
Insufficient Light
Too little light is also bad for orchids. Plants need sunlight for new leaves and overall growth. Without sunlight, the plant suffers.
How to Solve :
You can add artificial light near the plants. But it’s essential to measure the sunlight correctly. Please place them in the sunlight for a little while. It will help them produce food for themselves.
Overwatering Problem
One of the common reasons for turning orchid plants yellow is overwatering. When you pour water on wet soil, it creates a moist environment for the plant. As a result, the root rots.
Eventually, it weakens the plant, the leaves turn yellow, and it dies.
How to Solve :
Do not pour water when there is moisture in the soil. Let it dry.
Water the plant when one inch of the upper soil is dry. It will help your orchid plant absorb the proper nutrients
Temperature Issue
The temperature of the atmosphere for the orchid plants is a critical issue. The orchid plant finds it hard to survive below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. It makes the leaves turn yellow and slows down the plant’s growth.
How to Solve :
Sustain a temperature of 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. You can place the orchid plant in a dry place.
Avoid open windows, air conditioning vents, and areas near fans. Orchid is a tropical plant that survives in 75%–55% humidity. So it requires high humidity.
Fungal and Bacteria Diseases
Diseases affect orchid leaves. It begins with turning the leaves. There are primarily two types of oid plant diseases that cause yellowing of the leaves.
A fungal infection in the plant begins to accumulate under the leaves. As time passes, the fungal growth increases and makes the leaves yellow. Then you will see the leaves turning brown and black.
Another disease is a bacterial infection. It creates a foul smell. You will see the leaves turning yellow slowly, and there will be little flowers.
How to Solve :
There are medicines on the market to treat. So grab them and spray the mixture on the leaves. Plus, make spaces between the plants. It will help reduce diseases.
Natural Aging Process
The orchid plant’s natural process is to make the leaves yellow. Yes, it’s an essential part of getting older.
A new plant has all the green leaves. But as time passes, the orchid plants become older. As a result, the lower leaves become yellow, dry, and fall.
But it does not happen with the top-level leaves.
How to Solve :
As it’s a natural process, so you can’t do anything. In fact, it’s not harmful to your plants.
But keep a close eye. If it happens with the top leaves of the plant, it’s a matter of worry.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Orchid flowers also need fertilizer, just like other plants. It gives them the proper nutrients to grow well and give you excellent flowers.
Especially during the summer, it requires fertilizer every third to fourth week. But the time frame is not fixed.
Nitrogen and Magnesium is an essential element for orchid flowers. If they lack in the soil, it will not give enough nutrients to the leaves. As a result, the leaves become yellow.
How to Solve :
It will be best if you get a proper proportion of fertilizer. Buy fertilizer from the market and get help from experts or shopkeepers to understand the measure.
But do not apply fertilizer in the winter and spring seasons. Have patience and use fertilizer. You will see your plant’s leaves turning a deep green.
Pest Problems
Various kinds of insects attack orchids. Some of them are little and hard to notice. It compels you to think, why are my orchid leaves turning yellow?
Most of the common pests that turn orchid leaves yellow are shown below:
Aphids
The tiny insects are expected to see on leaves. They live on plants and feed on their nutrition. It weakens the plants and slows growth. It begins with turning the leaves yellow.
Mealybugs
They are soft, and many stay together on leaves and leaf axils. They also suck sap from the plants and live on it.
It causes nutrient deficiencies in the plant. It starts showing signs of nutrient deficiency by turning the leaves yellow.
Spider Mites
One of the smallest insects that live on orchid plants. They feed on plant tissues. As time passes, they increase their numbers on the plant. Then the leaves turn yellow and dry or brittle.
Scale Insects
They are also dangerous insects for orchids. They live on the stems and leaves of the orchid. Like the other insects, they also suck sap from the plant.
As a result, the plant lacks nutrition and begins to feel weak. It causes the leaves to turn yellow and fall prematurely.
Root Pests
Have you heard of fungus gnats or certain nematodes? These are root insects. They attack the roots of orchids.
It creates barriers to absorbing nutrients from the soil. Also, discourage taking in water. So plants cannot take their necessary elements from the soil. The leaves turn yellow and wilt.
How to Prevent the Pests
It’s time to stop thinking about why are my orchid leaves turning yellow. Take the necessary steps shown below.
Maintaining Hygiene
Keep the ears of orchid plants clean. Inspect daily for defects. Clear out the debris, fallen leaves, or anything else that can be a hiding and breeding place for the pests.
Regular Inspection
Watch out for insects regularly. Carefully look under the leaves, acids, and stems to find pests early. It will help you take quick action.
Eliminating Pests Manually
Pests like snails are big enough to see and remove by hand. So once you see a bug or problem, remove it with your hands or tools. So it will not harm your plant.
Removing the Affected Part
Inspect daily to see if there’s any affected part in your orchid plant. If you see pests attacking a leaf or stem, clear it out.
Immediately cut the leaf or stem and throw it away. Do not let it near the orchid plant. Doing so can save the remaining healthy parts and other plants successfully.
Insecticidal Soaps or Horticultural Oils
Are your orchids suffering from aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites? Then use insecticides. Insecticide soaps or horticultural oils are low in toxicity. They will not harm your plants or soft insects.
Biological Solutions
Do you know about ladybirds and lacewings? These are effective insects that feed on the pests of orchids. They eat them and save your orchids from dangerous pests.
Chemical Insecticides
If you don’t find solutions by applying the above ideas, you need insecticides. You can find them easily online.
So order them or go to the shop to buy them. Check out the instructions on its body before using it on plants.
Conclusion :
You can prevent your orchids from getting yellow leaves. Also, there are medicines available to cure your plants. So it’s easy, but you must take care and action against the problems to save your orchid plant.
Hopefully, the above discussion will help you not overthink why are my orchid leaves turning yellow. Hopefully, you will find out the problem and solve it soon.
