What should I do if the leaves of Phalaenopsis turn yellow, soft and wilted?

Phalaenopsis prefers a warm and humid environment and is known as the "Queen of Orchids". It is famous for its gorgeous flowers, elegant plant shape and long flowering period. However, it is not easy to care for Phalaenopsis at home. Many flower lovers have found that the Phalaenopsis orchids they bought home are difficult to bloom again after flowering, and face problems such as bud loss, few buds, and root rot. The most common and confusing problem is leaves suddenly turning yellow, becoming soft, or even falling off. Let’s learn what to do if the leaves of Phalaenopsis turn yellow, soft and wilted?

1. Temperature control

Phalaenopsis prefers a warm environment, and the best growth temperature is 18-28℃. It cannot tolerate extreme heat or cold; high temperatures in summer and low temperatures in winter will affect its growth. Therefore, special attention should be paid to cooling in summer and keeping warm in winter.

2. Lighting management

Phalaenopsis prefers semi-shaded environment and scattered light. Too much sunlight or long-term darkness will affect its photosynthesis, causing the leaves to turn yellow and soften. Avoid direct sunlight from May to October and place it on a warm balcony in winter.

3. Fertilizer and water control

Phalaenopsis likes moisture, but avoids stagnant water. Excessive watering can easily cause root rot. When the leaves turn yellow and soft, you can use the immersion method. Place the Phalaenopsis in a large container filled with water, with the water level reaching 2/3 of the pot, and judge the moisture of the soil by feel.

4. Promote new root growth

If the roots are not completely rotten, new root growth can be promoted by increasing air humidity and ventilation. Phalaenopsis likes ventilation, especially after watering, to avoid the roots from being stuffy.

Method 1 (for plants with mild symptoms): After watering thoroughly, squeeze out the excess water from the sphagnum moss, place it in a place without direct sunlight, and spray water 3-5 times a day. New roots will grow within a week.

Method 2 (for seriously ill plants): Remove sphagnum moss, trim rotten roots, and disinfect with carbendazim solution for 20 minutes. Prepare a container and fill it with water. Place the Phalaenopsis above the container, keeping the roots 2 cm away from the water surface. Spray water every day. New roots will be visible in about a week. Then wrap it with a small amount of sphagnum moss to help it adapt, and finally put it back in the pot.

To sum up, the yellowing, softness and wilting of Phalaenopsis leaves are usually related to excessive watering. When caring for it, special attention should be paid to proper watering, and attention should be paid to temperature, light and ventilation conditions to ensure the healthy growth of Phalaenopsis.