As long as orchids have juicy and shiny leaves, everything is fine. If the foliage hangs limply and wrinkled, the exotic flower diva is calling for your help. You can find out here what causes the misery and how to fix them.
What to do if orchid leaves are limp?
If orchid leaves are limp and wrinkled, this may be due to lack of water, waterlogging, lack of light or pests. This can be remedied by adjusting the irrigation, replacing the substrate and checking the location and care conditions.
Lack of water robs leaves of their strength
If an orchid receives too little water, the flowers wilt prematurely and the leaves lose their vitality. Although the plant can tolerate short-term drought, the leaves still hang limply after a while. With this immediate measure you can approach the problem professionally:
- Pour lukewarm, lime-free water into a bucket
- Dip the root ball in it
- If no more air bubbles appear, let the water drain away well
The already weakened leaves usually show no improvement. Only the fresh leaves will grow lush and green again if you water the orchid in this way once or twice a week from now on.
Waterlogging makes the leaves limp
An oversupply of water causes root rot on orchids. The softened roots can no longer transport water and nutrients to the leaves in sufficient quantities. As a visible symptom, the foliage hangs down sapless and weak. How to fix the problem:
- Unpot the orchid and remove the wet substrate
- Cut off any rotten roots with a clean, sharp knife
Place the root ball in fresh orchid soil (€7.00 on Amazon) and place the pot in a warm, partially shaded location. Limit water supply to regular spraying in the following days and weeks. Only when the remaining roots have dried thoroughly should you water or submerge more sparingly than before.
Do not cut off limp leaves
Sadly drooping leaves significantly affect the visual appearance of an orchid. However, do not cut off the limp leaves. Only when an orchid leaf has completely withdrawn and died can it be removed. Until then, the remaining nutrients will be relocated to the bulbs and roots.
Tip
If an orchid loses its leaves overnight, there is an urgent need for action. If a natural growth cycle can be ruled out as the cause, please carefully examine the location and care. Lack of light, compacted substrate, diseases and pests cause orchids to react in this way.
