Why does the orchid turn yellow and what to do in this situation?

We all love when a beautiful indoor plant pleases the eye on the windowsill in the apartment. But some of them sometimes get sick. For example, Orchids are plants that require a lot of effort and care in the growing process. And when the flower, leaves, peduncle or stem turn yellow, then the owner is excited about this. But you don’t need to worry, but you need to understand the reasons, perhaps this process is the natural aging of the flower. In this article we will consider the causes of yellowness of leaves and possible ways to eliminate it.

What is yellowing?

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 the roots, leaves, peduncle.

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

For more information on why the orchid turns yellow, read here.

Consequences for the plant

It is bad if the stem has turned yellow in a 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, help the diseased plant, as the consequences are fraught with:

• complete yellowness and falling of all leaves;
• drying of the peduncle;
• deterioration in general condition against the background of infectious diseases;
• a violation in the development of the root system;
• the cessation of flowering.

Why does the trunk turn yellow?

Indoor orchids are somewhat moody plants. They can negatively react even to a slight change in parameters during cultivation. This is reflected in the appearance of beauties. Therefore, determining the cause of the yellow leaves or the stem is not always simple, but it is still important. The main factors of yellowness:

1. Sunburn. Bright light, of course, is good. But all is well, it should be in moderation. Direct rays of the sun with direct contact cause burns on the leaves, stem, flowers. A plant that is not used to intense light does not tolerate this well. With artificial lighting, problems also arise.

   Improperly selected equipment can cause thermal damage. For these purposes, it is better to use phyto lamps that do not harm the plant and do not dry the air. However, keep at least 20 cm between the lamp and the flower.

2. Mechanical damage. Yellow color on the trunk may result from a fall or injury to part of the plant. The damaged part was not treated with an antiseptic in time, and as a result, the appearance of wounds on the stem, with possible decay.
3. Lack of moisture. Lack of fluid can occur when there is no watering at all. A plant needs a minimum amount of water, which dissolves the nutrients found in the soil and nourishes the root system. Symptoms of this cause are:
   • yellow leaf tips;
   • yellow stalk;
   • light roots;
   • the plant loses elasticity.
4. Lack of light. Orchids are a shade-tolerant plant, but they certainly need sunlight. This is especially acute during flowering and growth. When a flower needs a 14-hour daylight.

   As a result of a lack of lighting, leaves, airy roots, buds are completely unformed. In the absence of light, the process of photosynthesis slows down.

5. Excess moisture. Due to the failure to observe the correct irrigation regime, many ailments arise. In plants at rest, vital processes are suspended, they do not need fertilizing with mineral fertilizers, frequent watering.

   At this moment, the flower does not absorb that amount of moisture as, for example, in the growth phase, so the surplus accumulates and causes yellowing, decay, wilting.

6. Fungal and bacterial infections. Violation of the microclimate in the room leads to the development of infectious diseases. Still similar is possible if the quarantine regime is not respected.

   Attention! If fungal and bacterial infections are detected, the diseased flower should be urgently isolated from healthy ones, because the infection spreads very quickly.

When is this process natural?

From time to time, the orchid discards 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 leaves, other parts of the plant also age: flower stalk, stem, roots, it’s just less noticeable. Natural death occurs after 1-5 years.

Change the color of the growth point

The top leaf of monopodial orchids is called the growth point. Its yellow color means a deviation from the norm; health problems have arisen in the plant. The reason for this phenomenon is uncomfortable conditions for the maintenance of exotics, improper watering. Also a consequence of damage to the flower by infection. With a severe injury to this leaf, the orchid stops growing up.

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

What to do to save the plant?

If the unexpected happened, the orchid's trunk began to turn yellow, its natural state changed, definitely, there were any problems. No need to wait, urgently respond:

1. Perform a thorough visual inspection of the diseased plant.
2. Find out what is causing this condition.
3. Change the living conditions of the orchid.
4. Control the quality and frequency of irrigation. Water should not remain in the axils of the leaves.

If the above measures have not given any changes, we proceed to a more radical:

1. Prepare cropping tools, disinfect them.
2. Remove any damaged tissue.
3. Treat slices with ground cinnamon or crushed activated carbon.

When falling leaves 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 plant with a 0.2% solution of the drug Fundazole or Topsin;
2. pour the drug directly into the wound of the plant;
3. we carry out the procedure at least three times with an interval of 14 days;
4. regularly inspect the diseased flower for the appearance of the process of decay;
5. buds on the peduncle can be treated with cytokinin hormone paste to stimulate the appearance of children.

Prevention

Be sure to follow these guidelines for the first time after amputation.

1. The first is to remove from the southern windowsill or dim the light with a tulle curtain. In autumn and winter, provide artificial lighting. The daylight hours should be 10-12 hours.
2. Three times - maintaining a comfortable temperature in summer: + 22-25ºС. Do not put under air conditioners, and do not leave in a draft, plant hypothermia is possible. In winter, + 16-18ºС. Do not place near radiators.
3. Third - the difference in temperature differences should not exceed 5ºС. Fungal infections develop at temperatures above + 25 ° C and high humidity, and bacterial infections develop at temperatures below + 15 ° C.
4. Using a household humidifier to maintain humidity in the range of 50-60%.
5. Regularly ventilate.
6. Moisten the flower 1 time in 7-10 days, in between the soil should completely dry.
7. Carefully ensure that moisture does not remain on the leaves. After watering, remove stagnant water in the axils of the leaves.
8. Exclude the use of mineral preparations in the first time after the procedure. In the future, apply nitrogen fertilizers during active growth, potash and phosphorus - during the flowering period.

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

Watch the video: ORCHID CARE : Yellow Leaves and Other Ailments PART 1 How to remove Old yellow Leaves (May 2024).