If the wonderful Vanda orchid sheds its shapely leaves, this shortcoming causes a major headache for the hobby gardener. Since this is rarely a natural process, the noble flower communicates a life-threatening malaise in this way. We have put together the 4 most common causes for you here with tips for clearing them up.
Why is my Vanda orchid losing leaves?
A Vanda orchid loses leaves due to lack of light, rot, abrupt change of location or fungal infections. To solve the problem, you should adjust the location, water correctly, relocate the plant gradually or, if necessary, use cuttings for propagation.
Cause No. 1: Lack of light
If a Vanda orchid suffers from a lack of light, it initially refuses to bloom. After 1 to 2 years at the latest, the sensitive plant is so weakened that it loses its leaves. Therefore, subject the location to a careful check to see whether it is like this:
- Very bright and sunny, without direct sunlight at midday
- From May to August ideally on the sunny balcony
- Warm temperatures of 22 to 30 degrees in summer and 16 to 20 degrees in winter
Cause 2: Rot
One of the mainstays of the care program is regularly immersing a Vanda orchid in soft water. However, if water gets into the heart of the plant or sits in the leaf axils for a long time, rot will develop. The orchid responds to this problem by dropping its leaves.
Cause No. 3: Abrupt change of location
If you have managed to get a Vanda orchid to bloom in the optimal location, the plant will never want to leave. Please do not carry the exotic diva from one window seat to the next, as it will react rudely by dropping its leaves. If the orchid moves to the sunny balcony in summer, please gradually accustom the plant to the unfiltered sunlight.
Cause 4: Fungal infection
If the leaves turn yellow and brown from the base of the trunk, the Vanda orchid is infected by a fungus. This clogs the ducts from the inside, so that the supply comes to a standstill. If the plant loses its leaves due to this cause, there is usually no way to save it. Sometimes the desperate orchid produces aerial roots in the upper area, which can be used as top cuttings for propagation.
Tip
If you cultivate a Vanda in special orchid substrate, please repot the plant every 3 years. Outdated substrate tends to compact, which the epiphytic orchid doesn't like at all. In response to this, sooner or later it will drop all of its leaves.
