What to do if orchid leaves are too long

1. Increase lighting

If the orchid is deprived of sunlight for a long time, it will grow too tall, causing the leaves to become longer. It needs to be placed in a sunny place, but it should be properly shaded at noon to avoid water loss due to exposure to the sun. If there is not enough light, the leaves will not continue to grow.

2. Reduce fertilization

Another reason that causes excessive growth is excessive nitrogen fertilizer. It is not advisable to fertilize it in a short period of time, and the plant should be taken out of the pot and rinsed with water. Dilute any remaining fertilizer to prevent further leggy growth. You can also change some new soil to slow down its growth rate.

3. Moderate pruning

Because the leaves of orchids are too long, they are prone to falling over and look unsightly, so they need to be properly trimmed. Cut back any leaves that are too long and trim the roots. Remove the plant from the pot, wash off some of the soil, cut off any excess roots and repot. Root pruning can hinder its absorption of water and nutrients and slow its growth.

4. Manual gathering

If you don't want to cut off leaves that are too long but are worried that they will break, you can gather them together manually. Use steel wire to make a triangular bracket and use it to fix the leaves that are too long to prevent the orchid from falling over. Release it after a period of time to allow it to grow more naturally. Do not tie it up with ropes, as this will make it look unsightly and will also be detrimental to its growth.