ORCHID YELLOW LEAVES - 4 PRIME CAUSES

All plants on occasion have a problem

All plants on occasion have a problem. Orchids are no exception. One of the most common questions is, "Why does my orchid have yellow leaves?" Well, as the title suggests there are at least four reasons. Let's explore some of the foundational rational.

1. When you transplant or do orchids repotting there is a risk to the plant by disturbing the natural state it was in and the plant will react. One of the ways it can react is by leaves turning yellow. Most likely it will be the older leaves at the bottom of the plant. This reaction is considered absolutely normal. Now if the leaves turning yellow are the newer leaves, then careful evaluation of the cause is needed. By knowing your plants you will know which leaves are younger or older.

2. Sunlight is a primal ingredient; too much of a good thing and trouble sets in. While all orchids have basic light requirements, the amounts do vary from plant to plant. The yellowing of the leaves is telling you to slow or back off the amount of light being received to the plant. Orchids vary from indirect light of a rain forest floor to direct sunlight. Please refer to "Orchid Care Plus" for your individual orchid type and its lighting requirements. Move the plant away from the direct light source to a less intense indirect light and watch it for a couple weeks. If the plant continues to deteriorate, then start to look at other possibilities of the leaf color turning.

3. Temperature changes can be a concern. Even subtle change in ambient room temperature can facilitate a plant reaction. When going from spring to summer watch the plant's reaction to increased sun which will increase the temperature in a room. While going from summer to fall then to winter the process is just the opposite. Any place in your home where the temperature could get below 55 degrees can spell disaster. Keep plants away from drafty windows or where outside doors will be opening and closing.

4. Too much orchid watering is a potential for causing problems for your orchid. While watering may bring a certain level of anxiety to many home growers the process if approached with just a little logic it will take care of itself. Understand the plant's natural environment and this will help to get the watering right. First recognize the potting medium. If you are using bark as a planting medium then you will need to water more often. Using sphagnum moss the watering will be less frequent as the moss retains moisture better. A classic six inch pot with bark needs to be watered once a week. Now that I have said that check the pot and determine if at one week it needs water. Is the bark dry, or is the bark still moist? This will help to determine the need. The indicator of yellow orchid leaves tends to be a sign of too much water. Let the plant dry out. Then return it to a regular schedule for watering.

Transplanting or repotting orchids, light, temperature and watering can be causes of yellow orchid leaves. Watch the plant and try changing things in its routine one at a time and you will be successful at promoting your plants to better health.

Marty Lewis

ORCHID YELLOW LEAVES - 4 PRIME CAUSES

By: Marty Lewis

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