Why do Phalaenopsis orchid leaves turn yellow?

Orchid

The orchid is a beloved plant, often found in the wild in marshy areas or mountains. It's a plant that requires special care. Despite its fussiness, the orchid remains a popular houseplant. Its most common problem is yellowing leaves, which many orchid growers struggle to overcome.

The causes of yellowing can vary, but they all boil down to improper plant care.

Reasons

Incorrect watering

When wondering why your orchid's leaves are turning yellow, the first step is to adjust the watering schedule. This is often the root cause of the problem.

Lack of water

When the roots don't absorb enough water, it affects the leaves, which become limp and yellow within days. Of course, for many orchid lovers, underwatering is a rare occurrence. More often, people overdo it and use too much water. A mistake when trying to save a plant suffering from water shortage is to suddenly switch to a heavy watering regime. Don't rush watering. To check, remove the top layer of soil. This area should be used as a guide for assessing dryness. Another method of testing is to insert a skewer between the side of the pot and the soil. The skewer will become damp after a few minutes if the plant is overwatered.

If the result is the opposite, the problem is underwatering. With practice, you can quickly assess soil dryness. If the plant is growing in a transparent pot, you can assess soil dryness by the condition of the roots. The roots should have a light green tint, and there should be no condensation in the pot. If water is insufficient, gradually increase watering and reach the required level within a week.

Excess water

Sometimes orchid leaves turn yellow, and gardeners don't know what to do. As in the previous situation, it's important to first assess the plant to determine the cause. Often, it's excess moisture. How can orchid lovers allow this to happen?

Simple! They focus on watering and adjust their schedule based on the dryness of the upper layers of bark, which dry out faster. But the soil beneath the top layer remains moist. When an orchid is grown in a transparent pot, it can be left soaking in water for too long.

Some even keep this plant in a pot of water, like cut flowers. For the first few months, the orchid may not show any signs of a negative reaction to excessive soil moisture. But later, the plant's leaves become soft and yellow. The leaf will become covered in dark spots, and the stem will take on a yellow tint. The roots will change color along with the leaves and stem, turning gray.

Malnutrition

When an orchid's leaves turn yellow, it may indicate a nutritional deficiency. The plant is signaling its need for iron and potassium. This is a common occurrence and can occur when the plant's fertilizing regimen is improper. It's also important to use only high-quality fertilizer; otherwise, the leaves will rapidly turn pale and eventually die.

Incorrectly chosen location

Want to find out why your Phalaenopsis orchid's leaves are turning yellow and what to do about it? It's important to remember that this plant requires adequate lighting as well as proper watering. These are the two most important factors affecting its growth and development. It's best to place the orchid pot on a north-facing windowsill. However, there's no universal placement. The best lighting conditions should be chosen based on the orchid variety. For example, hybrid varieties require less light than Vanda, Ascocenda, and Rhynchostylis varieties.

Diseases and pests

Many gardeners are often concerned about why their orchid leaves are turning yellow and what to do about it. Orchids are susceptible to infectious diseases, which include fungal, bacterial, and viral infections. Determining whether a plant has such a disease is relatively simple.

In this case, the leaf will not turn yellow completely. Round or oval yellow spots will form on it.

The spot may be a few shades darker or lighter. The affected areas should be cut out of the leaf with sterile instruments, and all cuts should be treated. The plant should be isolated until it has fully recovered. Many orchids are sold infected, so this problem is common.

Too much or too little sun

Orchid leaves turning yellow can have various causes, and treatments vary accordingly. Burning and drying out occur on hot days when the plant is exposed to the south or west. The leaf will turn yellow in one area that was exposed to the sun. To avoid further damage, the plant should be relocated.

Incorrect fertilization regime

Orchids only need to be fertilized during the active growth period. Additional nutrients are provided as needed. During the active growth phase, fertilize every three weeks. Failure to adhere to this schedule will cause the leaves to wilt and turn yellow. Using the wrong proportions of fertilizer or applying it too frequently will cause the plant to react similarly.

If you don't know why your orchid's leaves are turning yellow and what to do about it, pay attention to your fertilization regime.

Can I cut off yellow leaves from an orchid?

Do not trim off the affected leaf. In case of bacterial or other diseases, only the affected areas of the leaf are removed. Otherwise, the leaves should not be touched. The orchid receives nourishment from the affected leaf, which it will dry out on its own later. Interfering with this process is not recommended.

There are many reasons for yellowing leaves. But as you might have already understood, the most common cause is improper orchid care. If you monitor watering and lighting, and provide the plant with proper nutrition, there won't be any problems. It's also important to purchase your orchid from a reputable supplier, who is guaranteed to give you a healthy and robust plant.