Why are orchid leaves turning yellow?

Orchids have been loved by people since ancient times for their fresh and refined colors and elegant temperament. But yellowing leaves is a common problem in orchid care. So what's going on when orchid leaves turn yellow?

1. Improper maintenance

Water management: Orchids need a moist environment, but too much water can cause root rot, while too dry soil can cause the leaves to dry out. Once water is found in the pot, the excess water should be drained immediately and ventilation should be increased to accelerate the evaporation of water.

Reasonable fertilization: Orchids like fertilizer, but are sensitive to concentrated fertilizer and raw fertilizer, which can burn the roots and cause yellow leaves. If concentrated fertilizer is accidentally applied, water should be applied immediately and abundantly to dilute the fertilizer, and in severe cases, the soil should be replaced.

Watering tips: Observe the soil in the pot, and water thoroughly after the soil surface turns white. If the leaves feel dry, you can spray water to increase humidity. Apply nitrogen fertilizer in the early growth stage and phosphorus fertilizer before flowering to promote flower bud differentiation and flowering.

2. Improper location

Light management: Orchids should not be placed in direct sunlight to avoid burning the leaves. At the same time, long-term lack of light can lead to insufficient chlorophyll synthesis, causing yellow leaves.

Temperature control: Orchids are not cold-resistant and can easily suffer frostbite due to low temperatures in winter. Orchids should be placed in semi-shade, receive diffuse light, and the flower pots should be rotated regularly to ensure even lighting. In winter, it needs to be moved indoors in time and the temperature should be kept above 10 degrees to prevent frostbite.

3. Soil issues

Failure to change the soil for a long time will cause the soil to become compacted, affecting the root system's absorption of water and nutrients, and thus causing yellow leaves. It is recommended to replace the potting soil every 1 to 2 years. Choose loose, fertile, and well-breathable soil, such as a mixture of silt, garden soil, and leaf mold, and use decomposed farmyard manure as base fertilizer.

As long as you make timely adjustments in the above directions, you can effectively reduce the occurrence of yellowing leaves of orchids, keep their branches and leaves green, and promote flowering.