In the native rainforests, the orchid always looks for a place under the protective canopy of leaves of jungle giants so as not to be exposed to the blazing sunlight. In fact, the exotic flowering diva can suffer from sunburn, which significantly affects the leaves and aerial roots. Read here which symptoms you can use to recognize the dilemma and tips on the right sun protection.
How do you recognize and prevent sunburn on orchids?
Symptoms of sunburn on orchids include large, light brown spots with dark brown edges that do not spread and surrounding tissue remains green. Protect from sunburn: Use frosted glass film, sliding curtains or semi-transparent curtains and gradually acclimate orchids on the balcony.
These symptoms indicate sunburn
If spots, stripes and pustules appear on the lush green leaves of an orchid, we immediately suspect a disease or pest infestation. What is less known is that in an unsuitable location, the sun can be responsible for damage to the foliage. In fact, the symptoms of sunburn are clearly identifiable:
- Large, light brown spots with a dark brown edge form
- The damaged areas do not spread further
- The surrounding tissue remains green
If it is an infection with fungi or bacteria, it is always associated with a progressive course. What is typical for sunburn is that the affected region of the foliage shows no other changes.
Do not cut leaves with sunburn
Sunburn undoubtedly significantly affects the appearance of an orchid. However, do not cut the leaf. The green areas of the foliage continue to carry out the vital photosynthesis. Only when an orchid leaf with burn marks is completely absorbed and dead do you pluck or cut it out.
How to properly protect orchids from sunburn
The perfect choice of location is made taking various criteria into account. While the requirements of the orchid species differ in terms of temperature and humidity, the flower beauties agree when it comes to sun: they do not want to be confronted with direct sunlight. How to prevent sunburn:
- Paste the window pane with foil in a frosted glass look (€6.00 on Amazon), as an inexpensive solution
- Attach sliding curtains to the window frame
- Hang semi-sheer curtains that soften the sunlight
In order not to block the view of the decorative orchids behind the window pane, awnings mounted on the house wall keep out the blazing sunshine. These can be retracted and extended as needed.
Acclimatise gradually on the balcony
Some of the most beautiful orchid species attract everyone's attention on the balcony in summer. To ensure that the leaves do not suffer from sunburn after moving out of the house, we recommend an acclimatization phase.
Tip
Do the symptoms of sunburn appear on your orchid without the flower being in direct sunlight? Then check to see if the leaves are touching a window pane. On hot summer days, the glass can heat up so much that it burns the orchid leaves on the windowsill.
