Phalaenopsis leaves turn yellow. A beautiful orchid fell ill - the leaves turn yellow

Orchids are inhabitants rainforest and therefore require close attention. And with improper care, her leaf plates suddenly begin to turn yellow. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the rules for caring for the plant and find a mistake in care, which leads to the death of the plant.

Causes of yellowing of the lower and upper leaves of an orchid

Leaf plates age over time and fall off after yellowing. This is called the natural aging process. But if yellowing occurs abruptly and massively, then this is unnatural and the cause must be found.

Wrong watering

One of the reasons why the leaves of the orchid began to fall off may be an unregulated watering regimen. Water may not be enough or it may be in constant excess.

Lack of water

Therefore, if the plants, in addition to yellowing of the foliage, look normal and root system without signs of decay, then you should think about the fact that the plant simply lacks moisture. If you water the flower in the usual way, then the water quickly flows down the bark and the roots do not have enough moisture to nourish the plant. When there is a shortage nutrients plant dries lower tier sheet plates.

IMPORTANT! Watering a flower should do it the right way. It is necessary to water the pot with an orchid by immersing it in water. The water must be warm.

excess water

The flower grower can also immerse the flower in water too often and the flower, receiving an overdose in feeding with water, will begin to rot the root system of the flower. In this case, the leaves will begin to turn yellow, but not dry as if underfilling, but rather get wet, acquiring a yellow-brown color. At the same time, the flower is urgently removed from the substrate and treated for root rot so that the leaves do not fall off.

IMPORTANT! When watering, there should be a separate basin for each orchid or change the water so that if one plant is infected with worms, it will not infect neighboring orchids.

nutritional deficiency

It is best to feed the orchid during active growth fertilizer specially created for her. Otherwise, the color of the leaf plates may turn yellow, and then they may fall off for a number of reasons:


  • nitrogen starvation - leaf plates become discolored and turn yellowish;
  • excess calcium - the tips of the leaf plates turn yellow;
  • excess calcium or chlorine - yellow-brown color of leaf plates;
  • lack of sulfur, copper or iron - the color of the leaves becomes yellow almost white.

IMPORTANT! To prevent this from happening with phalaenopsis, fertilizers must be applied, as it is written on the packaging of the specialized Orchid fertilizer.

Wrong location

With an incorrectly chosen place, the flower can quickly shed yellowing leaves. Since in complete darkness he will not have enough light, and the sun's rays in the summer will burn the leafy plates of the flower. Therefore, in summer it is better to keep flowers on the north side of the house or, if there are only south windows in the apartment, then put containers with flowers on the table, shielding them from the sun with tulle. And in winter it will be possible to put flowers on the southern windows, where the lighting is best in winter period.


Diseases and pests

With excessive moisture in the flower, pests and mites may appear, and various fungal infections also appear on a weakening plant. Therefore, when wrinkling and yellowing of the foliage, it is necessary to inspect the surface of the leaf plates for the presence of pests:

  1. scale insects.
  2. worms.

If any infectious problem is found, the following recommendations should be followed:

  • pull the flower out of the ground;
  • wash the roots
  • treat with a fungicide or chemical preparation from pests;
  • pour over the pot with boiling water;
  • plant a flower in a new soil.

IMPORTANT! Inspect the flower for pests about once every two weeks. Thus, a timely detected disease or insect can be disposed of in a timely manner and then a flower transplant is not needed.

Too much or too little sun

With a lack of sunlight, the plant noticeably stretches and the leaves seem to discolor, turning yellow from the inside. They can change their color gradually, starting from the base, or they can turn yellow in one day, after which the leaves fall off, exposing the trunk.

IMPORTANT! The place that is intended for the plant should be bright enough, but without direct sunlight.

Burns and sunburn

Orchid standing under straight lines in summer sunbeams, will burn from excess ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, if the window sills in the apartment are only with a southern orientation, then the container with the plant must be placed on the table inside the room so that the sunlight becomes diffused.


IMPORTANT! On the southern windowsills, an orchid can only be kept in winter.

Wrong fertilizer regime

If you violate the fertilizer regime, then the flower will have every chance to wither and die. Because both with a shortage and with an excess of fertilizer, the flower begins to disappear, namely, it turns yellow and may die if the situation with top dressing is not leveled.

Too much fertilizer

An excess of fertilizer leads to the death of the plant, since the root system will not be able to process all this and the flower will shed its leaves, and the peduncle, if any, leaving only the stem.

Fertilizer shortage

Lack of nitrogen fertilizer will cause the orchid not to bloom. Phosphorus-potassium supplements, or rather their absence, will lead to the fact that the plant will not be able to grow a new peduncle.

IMPORTANT! All fertilizers are applied only after watering, so that the root system of a young flower does not burn out.

Is it possible to cut yellow leaves from an orchid

If this is a consequence of the natural aging of the flower, then the leaves will fall off on their own and do not need to be cut.

IMPORTANT! After cutting one plant, treat the scissors with alcohol to disinfect them.

Conclusion

To blooming orchid I felt good and did not get sick, before buying, you should familiarize yourself with the rules for caring for a flower at home. Since the orchid grows only in certain conditions and therefore it can not be cultivated in all rooms. Or if there are not enough, some moments for caring for the plant, then provide the flower with them and then it will delight the grower with its beautiful and long flowering.

Exotic flowers give special charm any room. Orchids create a tropical atmosphere. Popular species for the home are Dendrobium, Cattleya, Paphiopedilum, and Phalaenopsis. There are many features in caring for a capricious flower. The article is devoted to only one common problem, why the leaves of an orchid turn yellow, how can you help the beauty cope with this trouble as quickly as possible.

An orchid purchased at a flower shop is usually in a state of active flowering. Happy owners of a bright curiosity, wanting to keep the buds for as long as possible, make a number of mistakes due to inexperience: they transplant early, put them in direct sunlight, and over-fertilize.

Any indoor plant when changing habitat, it gets into stress and needs a period of adaptation. The so-called quarantine is recommended to withstand at least 14 days. The flower is kept separately from other plants and watched over. Only after quarantine, if the roots were in sphagnum, the orchid is transplanted. A plant planted in the soil can be left undisturbed for another two years.

The main indicator of health is the type and quality of the leaves, they are always the first to react, usually in the first five days.

The death of the lower leaves of an orchid of any kind is natural process aging. It is significant that in the most common hybrids, one or two leaves from below can fall off, and an orchid of the genus nobile will lose all foliage at once. And that's okay.

A fading leaf should not be rushed to be removed, injuring the plant, it will dry out and fall off, after which it can be removed. The normal aging process occurs annually during flowering and dormancy.

Thus, in a newly acquired orchid, the leaves turn yellow from below at the time of adaptation. In the future, it develops, and the yellow leaves dry out due to natural aging.

Improper plant care

Other reasons for the death of foliage are added signs of ill health: lack of flowering, stunting, spots and growths. All content needs to be reviewed. tropical flower. Let's look at the most common mistakes in caring for orchids.

Violation of the irrigation regime

Orchids are sensitive to any changes in watering regimen. This is one of the main reasons for the wilting of the plant. Both drought and waterlogging disturb the balance of substances, changing the color of the foliage.

Overflow. Novice gardeners often give an orchid more water than needed for growth. As a result, the earth lump turns out to be dense, the air does not pass, the roots are under pressure, the lower leaves honk yellow. Here it is created favorable environment for putrefactive bacteria. Black spots may appear on all leaves and roots, their structure becomes soft.

It is necessary to take into account the humidity of not only the surface layer, but also the middle of the substrate. Transparent pots are good for orchids, it is convenient to monitor the humidity visually in them. In an opaque pot, experienced flower growers use a wooden stick. By placing it in the ground at the edge, you can diagnose moisture or dryness in a few minutes. earthy coma. Aerobatics - determining the degree of humidity of the contents by weight, lifting the container with the orchid.

Lack of moisture. Relatively less often, but it happens that outwardly healthy flower with normalized watering, it gives out yellowness to the foliage. Possible cause may become a method of watering and too deep drainage. The water just comes out quickly, the roots do not have time to feed in order to get the right substances.

Young shoots begin to take strength from old shoots, the latter, in turn, quickly turn yellow and die. The solution to this problem is to change the method of watering. For fourteen days we treat the orchid for drought by immersing the pot in water so that the entire substrate is saturated with moisture. She will quickly return to her original healthy development.

Water quality. If the orchid's watering schedule is balanced and the leaves continue to turn yellow, look at the quality of the water. Hard water with impurities salts the ground. To make water softer helps its elementary settling for three days or filtering. Can be used melt water. The soil will have to be changed completely as soon as the orchid finishes blooming.

Too little or too much light

It is impossible to say about orchids that they are light-loving or shade-loving. Among them are representatives who prefer various degrees illumination, so the flower is considered capricious. Although for competent care you just need to know the exact name.

Orchids that love bright light without direct sunlight are placed on the southern windowsills. As a rule, for them the temperature is about 30 degrees. Such photophilous species include dendrobium, cattleya, vanda, lellia, oncidium.

Pots with orchids are placed on the western and eastern window sills, which prefer less bright light, they have enough sun in the morning or evening. Such representatives include cambria, cymbidium, miltonia, odontoglossum.

Orchids that need a moderate amount of light grow quietly on the northern windowsills, stands outside the window. Such orchids need a temperature of 18 to 25 degrees. This group includes: lady's slipper, phalaenopsis.

The lack of lighting in winter is well complemented by lamps daylight. They are recommended to be turned on for several hours so that resting orchids do not overheat. Violation light regime threatens not only with yellowing, but with the loss of all leaves.

Orchid sunburn

In an orchid, on the leaves facing the sun, formed yellow spots. The sign, of course, speaks of a burn.

Orchid hybrids that are purchased in stores do not tolerate prolonged sunlight. Burns are easier to prevent than to "treat" later. The place around the burn dries out over time, as a result, the orchid loses its leaf.

As soon as yellowing has been noticed, the orchid needs to change its habitat. You can close the window with paper, put it behind others broadleaf plants or organize shading in another way. A damaged leaf does not need to be removed; a healthy orchid is able to restore a small area.

Mistakes when fertilizing orchids

The mode of lighting and watering should be balanced with the nutrition of the orchid throughout the year. Possible mistakes: overfeeding and lack of nutrients.

Important points when fertilizing orchids:

  • for each type of orchid there are fertilizers and their own dosage;
  • during the adaptation period after purchase, the orchid is not fed for about a month;
  • a sick orchid and in the presence of any pests can not be fertilized;
  • a young orchid is fed through watering, after moistening the soil;
  • shake the container with fertilizer before dilution, the substances will be distributed evenly;
  • in winter and summer, it is better to stop feeding;
  • home orchids do not need growth stimulants;
  • for one top dressing take half the dose, which is indicated in the instructions;
  • fertilizer must contain: potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen.

An excess of substances. An overfed orchid will live no more than two years, then its leaves will turn yellow and it will die. The yellow tips of the leaves indicate excess calcium, while it is better to replace the entire substrate with a new one.

lack of substances. Potassium deficiency is reflected by yellowness on the top of the orchid leaf. At the next stage of damage, dead veins are visible on inside sheet. Young shoots and leaves take the mineral from older neighbors. Further, the orchid loses its leaves completely, if action is not taken. In this case, you should also change the substrate completely.

Common sores cling to orchids when disturbed temperature regime, watering and lighting or from infected plants. Fungal, viral or bacterial infections lead to dark yellow spots or to fungal bumps. Orchids of Asian species often suffer from fungal infections. A flower can catch a virus at a time of stress during transportation and a change in care regimen, which is manifested by dark rings on the leaves.

Pests dangerous for orchid leaves:

  • the spider mite organizes its thin web under the leaf and on the shoots;
  • aphids love the inside leaf blade making it sticky to the touch;
  • growths indicate the presence of a shield, which can be seen with a magnifying glass;
  • translucent winged thrips settle on an orchid when low humidity air, they leave a silvery layer on the leaves, shoots and substrate;
  • leaf deformation and stunting indicate damage to the orchid by nematodes;
  • wood lice attacks orchids in outdoor conditions.

Orchid leaves turned yellow - how to treat?

A diseased orchid or attacked by pests needs quick treatment. Correct diagnosis of yellow leaves will allow you to choose the right recipe to save the flower.

If an infection is detected, it is categorically impossible to open the tubercles. This is a mycelium with spores, which is treated with a fungicide. Large lesions are treated by removing a portion of the leaf, followed by iodine treatment of the section.

When a virus is diagnosed, the orchid is sprayed with an antibiotic and fungicide.

The spider mite is washed off with warm water and covered with a bag for three days. As a radical remedy, the preparations "Neoron" and "Tiofos" are suitable.

In the presence of aphids, use warm soap solution. It is useful to spray the orchid with Fitoverm or an infusion of citrus skins. For infusion, take 100 grams of skins per liter of water. During the week, the orchid is sprayed every five hours.

Shield does not tolerate olive oil diluted in water (1 tablespoon per 500 grams of water). The solution is applied to the affected leaves three times after 7 days. Then you can spray "Fitoverm" or "Aktellik".

Thrips from the leaves and from the substrate are washed with warm water, the affected areas are cut off. Useful three-time spraying "Aktellik" every 10 days.

Nematodes - microworms die at a temperature of 40 degrees, but the orchid will not survive it either. The safest option for a flower is watering with Levamisal or Decaris soluble tablets.

Woodlice will float if the pot is soaked in another larger container. Then you can wash the roots and transplant the orchid into a healthy environment.

He does not need special care, but certain rules care for this plant must be observed. Otherwise, this specific flower can get sick with diseases characteristic of this species and even die from them.

First of all, plants begin to signal about the disease, turning yellow and wilted leaves. This signal must be responded to quickly in order to prevent the death of the affected flower.

In fact, the color of orchid leaves changes due to a few reasons, so even a beginner amateur grower can easily react in time and save the plant.

The most common mistake of a grower, which leads to yellowing of orchid leaves, is considered abundant watering flower. Phalaenopsis is not an ordinary houseplant, its aerial roots do not need soil. The orchid is placed in a pot filled with substrate or bark. This is done in order to fix the flower, to help him keep vertical position. Aerial roots do not need moisture, they only need a constant supply of air. The layer of water that gets inside the pot blocks the access of oxygen to the roots of the orchid. From moisture, the roots rot and cannot perform their main function well - to nourish the leaves of the orchid. Without proper nutrition, some leaf plates turn yellow and die. Leaves that have not yet changed their color become soft and lethargic. In the most critical cases, the process of decay affects the stem, then the stem turns black completely, and the flower dies.

Like all orchids, phalaenopsis are grown in transparent pots filled with bark or substrate, so it is possible to observe the condition of the roots, the degree of humidity of the bark and pick up correct mode watering a flower. The main signs of excess moisture inside the pot are:

  • Wet bark and dark color
  • Condensation on the walls of the pot
  • Green roots pressed against the wall of the pot
  • Heavy flower pot

If you notice one of these signs on your flower, do not water it. Pay attention to the appearance of dry healthy roots and make sure that the roots of the orchid remain the same.

If decay has already begun, then the leaves of such a plant will become yellow with black patches, and the roots will turn completely black. If these signs are found, the flower must be removed from the pot and planting material, remove all damaged roots and leaves. Only after that, take resuscitation measures to further save the orchid. Sometimes they are limited only to transplantation. A diseased plant needs a minimum of moisture. It is enough to cover the base of the flower with moistened moss, which must be sprayed periodically.

If the plant has lost most of the root system, and some green leaves have survived, rescue activities should be carried out in a mini-greenhouse. To observe the restoration of the roots of an orchid, you do not need to plant it in a new substrate. It is better to fix the plant with coconut fiber and pine bark, placing it on a substrate. After that, cover the phalaenopsis with a transparent cap and put it in a place where direct sunlight does not fall. The substrate of the orchid should be periodically moistened, and the leaves should be wiped with a damp cloth.

Too much light

Phalaenopsis does not like to be hit directly sunlight and prefers shady places. It grows well and develops even at a distance from the window. The rays of the sun and bright light can cause burns of phalaenopsis leaves. Flower leaves can be damaged in one of three degrees:

  • A thin yellowish border appears on the leaves in high light
  • Potholes - several yellowish spots merging into one spot, appears with little exposure to the sun
  • Large yellowish shapeless burn spots, sometimes similar to scorched tissue, like a film Brown, appears when exposed to direct sunlight for a long time

In the event of a local defeat of the orchid, it is enough to move it to another place, which better fit for flower health. A leaf damaged by light can be removed or the Phalaenopsis allowed to shed it on its own. If a plant has many leaves damaged by light, then its stem and roots should be examined. An orchid can be saved if the roots and stem are still resilient and green. The flower must be moved to another place, for example, in the shade, and the level of local humidity should be increased without watering. If the roots of the flower have dried up and the stem has turned yellow, then the chances of saving the plant are almost zero.

Growth point damage

Phalaenopsis has one stem that is constantly growing. This phenomenon is called monopodial growth pattern. The top of the phalaenopsis stem is called the growing point. Damage to this point can lead to the death of the plant. Growth point damage mechanically it is rare, mainly this is due to the beginning of rotting of the tip of the stem. In either of these cases, the orchid leaves will change color and the yellowing will touch the stem of the plant and move down to the root system. Sometimes the growth of the main stem freezes after the appearance of a basal baby in the plant. The orchid transfers its development precisely to a young flower.

natural causes

Phalaenopsis feels good and develops well if it loses one of its lowest leaves in a year. This is how it goes life cycle at the orchid. First, the leaf plate of the flower turns yellow, then the leaf becomes bright yellow, wrinkled, acquires a brown tint and dies.

Why did the orchid leaves turn yellow? Cause and effect (video)

It happens that orchids turn yellow. This is due to various factors affecting the vital processes of the plant. As a result, the pigments responsible for the green color are formed in small quantities, and part of the flower changes color. Yellowing affects not only the stem, but,.

Yellowness can appear in one part of the plant, and subsequently affect all organs of the plant.

The appearance of a yellow color indicates ailments or physiological processes.

Read more about why the orchid turns yellow.

It is bad if the stem turned yellow at young plant, then the cause of aging disappears by itself. The main danger is not to delay treatment and at the same time respond to the first symptoms. In time to help the diseased plant, as the consequences are fraught with:

  • full yellowness and fall of all leaves;
  • drying of the peduncle;
  • worsening general condition against the background of infectious diseases;
  • violation in the development of the root system;
  • cessation of flowering.

Indoor orchids are somewhat capricious plants. They may even react negatively to minor change growing parameters. This is reflected in appearance beauties. Therefore, determining the cause of yellow leaves or stems is not always easy, but still important. The main factors of yellowness:

When is this process natural?

From time to time, the orchid sheds old leaves. There is nothing wrong with this process, on the contrary, it is considered the norm. A similar process is associated with the life cycle of a plant. In addition to the leaves, other parts of the plant also age: the peduncle, trunk, roots, it's just less noticeable. Natural dying occurs after 1-5 years.

Growth point color change

The top leaf of monopodial orchids is called the growing point. Yellow it means a deviation from the norm, the plant has health problems. The reason for this phenomenon is uncomfortable conditions for keeping exotic, improper watering. Also a consequence of damage to the flower by infection. If this leaf is severely wounded, the orchid stops growing upwards.

Many believe that without a growing point, a plant cannot survive. It can, but the probability is not 100%. Once without an active core, the exotic is exposed to fungal diseases. If he has enough strength to overcome ailments, the plant will survive. The flower can give a lateral shoot on the stem or peduncle, thus continuing to grow.

If the unforeseen happened, the trunk of the orchid began to turn yellow, its natural state changed, definitely, some problems arose. No need to wait, react quickly:

  1. Spend a thorough visual inspection sick plant.
  2. Find out what is causing this condition.
  3. Change the parameters of the orchid's residence.
  4. Control the quality and frequency of watering. Water should not remain in the axils of the leaves.

If the above measures did not give any changes, we proceed to more radical ones:


When the leaves fall, in addition to the yellow stem, perhaps this process is another symptom of decay or an infectious disease. In such cases it is necessary:

  1. treat the soil and the plant with a 0.2% solution of the drug Fundazol or Topsin;
  2. pour the drug directly into the wound of the plant;
  3. the procedure is carried out at least three times with an interval of 14 days;
  4. regularly inspect a diseased flower for the appearance of a rotting process;
  5. buds on the peduncle can be treated with cytokinin hormone paste to stimulate the appearance of children.

Prevention

For the first time after amputation, be sure to adhere to the following recommendations.

  1. The first is to remove from the south window sill or shade the light tulle curtain. Supply in autumn and winter artificial lighting. Duration daylight hours should be 10-12 hours.
  2. Second, maintenance comfortable temperature summer: +22-25ºС. Do not place under air conditioners, and do not leave in a draft, hypothermia of the plant is possible. In winter + 16-18ºС. Do not place near radiators.
  3. Thirdly, the difference in temperature differences should not exceed 5ºС. At temperatures above +25°C and high humidity fungal infections develop, and at temperatures below + 15ºС - bacterial ones.
  4. With the help of a household humidifier, maintain the humidity within 50-60%.
  5. Ventilate regularly.
  6. Moisten the flower 1 time in 7-10 days, in between the soil should dry completely.
  7. Be careful not to leave moisture on the leaves. After watering, remove stagnant water in the axils of the leaves.
  8. Exclude the use of mineral preparations for the first time after the procedure. Apply in the future nitrogen fertilizers during active growth, potash and phosphorus - during the flowering period.

So, we considered what to do if the trunk of an orchid turned yellow. Following all the above rules, you will create favorable conditions for active growth and bright flowering orchid. exotic flower will have good immunity, he is not afraid of anything. And in the future, in general, you will forget about diseases and health problems.

Indoor orchids require careful attention and good care. This flower is a resident of the tropics, so in urban environments, he often experiences stress. What to do if home orchid leaves turn yellow? This phenomenon has its own reasons, the treatment also differs.

Natural Causes of Yellowing Leaves

Each orchid leaf goes through its own life cycle. If the leaves turn yellow and dry at the base of species such as phalaenopsis, erangis, paphiopedilum, and the plant looks healthy, there is no reason for concern: the natural aging process of the flower is taking place.

Sympodial orchids can drop not only the lower leaves, but also the upper ones after flowering. This happens most often in winter or early spring.

Why do orchids turn yellow leaves even when good care? This occurs during the period of adaptation of the plant to changing conditions. The leaves grow new, and the old ones turn yellow and wither. A similar process is repeated annually after the flowering period. In such cases yellow leaf no need to cut, you need to let it dry completely and separate from the stem.

Natural yellowing of the lower leaves starts at the edges

Wrong care

The orchid bought in the store is most often in a state of flowering. Wanting to keep the flowers as long as possible, inexperienced flower growers make mistakes: they transplant the plant, put it under the sun, fertilize and water it excessively. Orchids wither and leaves turn yellow because as a result of a change in habitat, the flower is stressed, and such actions cause even more harm to it.

Experts recommend that after buying an orchid, endure a 2-week quarantine: place it separately from other plants and monitor the condition. After that, the flower must be transplanted from sphagnum into suitable soil. Then, within 2 years, the plant should not be disturbed.

If, after transplantation, the leaves of the orchid turn yellow, it is worth reviewing all the conditions for its maintenance. The leaves first of all react to improper care, then the flower stops growing, spots and growths appear on the stem, buds stop forming. What can negatively affect the condition of the plant?

Too dry air

Orchids are tropical flowers. They are accustomed to warm and humid climates. In city apartments, the air is most often excessively dry, especially during the cold season, when radiators are working. With low humidity, the orchid flowers wither, the leaf turns yellow entirely, its edges dry out.

You can help the plant by spraying it regularly. It is convenient to keep the sprayer near flower pot. It is also necessary to increase the humidity in the room. For this you can buy special device or put water containers next to the orchid.

Violation of the irrigation regime

Improper watering often leads to weakening and drying of the leaves of a flower. Both excessive moisture and drought are detrimental to the plant.

Beginning flower growers often give the flower more water than is necessary. As a result, the soil hardens, air cannot pass through it, the roots rot, and the leaves change color. The following signs also indicate excessive watering:

  • leaves become soft and moist;
  • dark spots appear on the stem;
  • the roots turn black and are not visible through the transparent walls of the pot;
  • the plant sits loosely in the pot, easily removed from the ground.

In order to prevent overflow, one should not focus only on upper layer. This place dries out within 1-2 days, and in the center the soil may remain damp. It is convenient to monitor the condition of the root system and the level of moisture visually through the walls of the pot. For example, it is easy to determine why the leaves of the phalaenopsis orchid turn yellow, which is kept in a transparent flowerpot. You can evaluate these indicators using a wooden stick placed in the ground. Experienced flower growers the level of soil moisture is determined by weight, lifting the flower pot.

The orchid also suffers from a lack of moisture. Drought can occur due to insufficient watering or a large amount of drainage, when all the liquid quickly leaves without having time to nourish the roots. Young shoots take moisture from old shoots, which causes them to wrinkle, turn yellow and fall off.

A drying plant is treated by immersion in water. For 14 days, the orchid pot is placed in a container of water. room temperature for 20 minutes. When the flower is saturated with moisture, it will quickly return to a healthy state.

Orchid leaves may also turn yellow due to the quality of water for irrigation. If it has a high salt content, the soil and the inner walls of the pot will be covered with a white coating. Hard water leads to the development of chlorosis - a disease in which the leaves turn yellow prematurely, and the veins remain green.

To save the orchid, you need to transplant and feed it special formulations. If the plant blooms, the soil can be washed with settled, distilled or melt water.

Lack or excess of light

Orchid - capricious flower. Some species of this plant prefer shade, others like to be in a lighted area. On the sunny side place lellia, dendrobium, vanda. Cumbria, odontoglossum, cymbidium are placed on windows facing west or east: they have enough sun in the morning or evening. Phalaenopsis and lady's slipper grow well on the north side.

If the leaves begin to turn yellow, it is necessary to determine the type of orchid and place it in a suitable environment. Lack of lighting for light-loving plants can be compensated by fluorescent lamps. They should be turned on for 4-5 hours to avoid overheating.

Leaf scorch from sunlight

The leaves turn yellow and fall off if the orchid long time is under direct sunlight. This can happen if the plant is on the western or south side on hot days. In this case, the leaf does not turn yellow entirely, but only at the burn site.

Nutrient deficiency

Too much or too little fertilizer

Overfeeding the plant and lack of nutrients adversely affect the condition of the orchid. If the flower receives a large amount of fertilizer, it will live for 2 years, then die. The fact that the plant is overfed with calcium is signaled by the tips of orchid leaves: if they turn yellow, the soil in the pot must be replaced.

The lack of valuable elements is indicated by yellowish spots on orchid leaves. A lack of fertilizer will first cause the lower shoots to turn yellow, then die off, as younger shoots will take minerals from them. If measures are not taken in time, the orchid will die.

Each type of plant produces its own fertilizer. A recently purchased flower is not fed for a month. If the orchid is sick or pests are present in the soil, fertilizers cannot be applied.

Root rot

If the leaves of the Phalaenopsis orchid and some other species turn yellow, how to save it? A flower can get sick due to rotting of the roots. This often occurs as a result of excessive watering or hypothermia of the plant. Part of the roots dies and cannot properly nourish the flower. At the same time, orchid leaves become soft, turn yellow and die.

To save the plant, it must be carefully removed from the pot, shake off the soil and cut off the damaged roots. The cut points should be burned with brilliant green or sprinkled with a crushed tablet. activated carbon. The soil must be replaced with fresh. Leaves do not need to be cut, they will fall off naturally.

Yellowing due to root problems

Infections and diseases as the cause of yellowing leaves

Due to improper care a flower can be affected by bacterial, viral or fungal infections. An orchid can become infected with a virus at a time of stress, for example, when moving. In this case, the leaves are covered with circles and stripes. The main fungal diseases are gray rot and powdery mildew. A plant infected with a virus or fungus is covered with yellow-brown spots and growths.

A tropical flower is often attacked by domestic pests. They can multiply in poor quality soil or pass from an infected plant. For orchids are dangerous:

  • spider mite, which leaves a thin cobweb on the shoots;
  • aphids that settle on the inside of the leaves;
  • scab, the presence of which is judged by the formation of growths;
  • thrips, the presence of which can be recognized by a silvery trail on the shoots and ground;
  • nematodes that deform leaf plates;
  • woodlice, gnawing roots.

Methods of treatment

How to save if the plant disappears due to infections or pests? At bacterial disease when the shoots turn yellow, soften and become covered with ulcers, the infected areas must be cut out, and the edges should be smeared with iodine. If the disease is caused by a virus, the affected plant will have to be destroyed, as effective remedy there is no treatment.

At the first signs infectious diseases the flower should be treated from a spray bottle with a special preparation. effective against powdery mildew is "Fitosporin", against gray rot - "Immunocytophyte".

A flower attacked by pests needs immediate treatment. Required by outward signs determine the type of insect, then wash the plant warm water and treat with the appropriate agent.