Withered leaves on orchids indicate that care has been neglected. The exotic plants usually react to an imbalance in the water balance with this damage pattern. Read here where the causes should be specifically looked for. Withered leaves are transformed back into juicy green, shiny leaves.
Why do orchids get wilted leaves and what can you do about it?
Withered leaves on orchids can indicate a lack of water or waterlogging. If there is a lack of water, submerge the plant sufficiently, if it is waterlogged, cut off rotten roots and plant in fresh substrate.
Lack of water causes the leaves to wilt - This is how the rescue plan works
Orchid experts tirelessly preach watering orchids sparingly. The airy orchid substrate should not dry out completely. If you use too much water, the leaves will wilt and hang limply. If the aerial roots are almost white due to extreme dryness, the damage can be repaired as follows:
- Pour lime-free, lukewarm water into a bucket
- Place the pot in it up to the root collar
- Soak until no more air bubbles appear
If you now take the orchid out of the water, the previously white aerial roots will have turned a deep green again. Water or dip the plant once or twice a week in summer and every 2 weeks in winter to keep the water balance in balance.
Waterlogging blocks the water supply - How to solve the problem
An excess of water causes orchids to wilt similar to drought. If brown, rotten roots shine through the transparent pot walls, the plant is suffering from waterlogging. As a result of the rot, the aerial roots no longer transport moisture to the leaves, so they wilt. How to act correctly now:
- Unpot the orchid to completely remove the wet substrate
- Cut off any mushy roots with a sharp, disinfected knife
- Do not cut off the withered leaves
Pott the orchid in fresh substrate (€9.00 at Amazon). For the first 5 to 6 days, the plant is not watered or dipped. Only the leaves are sprayed daily with soft water. Once the orchid has recovered from the stress, resume the care protocol with extended watering or dipping intervals.
Tip
If only the lower leaf of a Phalaenopsis hangs wilted and limp, this is a normal aging process. As the process progresses, the orchid absorbs the remaining nutrients from the leaf, causing it to turn yellow. Once it has completely died, pluck or cut out the leaf.
