Reasons for Yellowing Orchid Leaves and How to Fix Them

Some orchid growers ask what to do when orchid leaves turn yellow. To solve this problem, you need to first find the cause of the yellowing, and not treat it blindly. Since each grower's care environment is different, this article analyzes and summarizes the situation based on some common causes of yellowing orchid leaves.

1. A sudden change in the orchid's care environment causes poor water absorption by the leaves, resulting in yellow leaves.

2. A potted orchid bought directly was newly potted by the seller, so the orchid is somewhat unaccustomed to the soil, temporarily affecting nutrient absorption and causing yellow leaves.

3. Water-induced yellowing: watering too much causes waterlogged soil that stays wet for a long time, with poor air permeability and even partial rotting of the fibrous roots, showing as dull yellow, lusterless young leaves and shrunken new shoots.

4. Fertilizer-induced yellowing: too much fertilizer, showing as yellowing and dropping of the tips of old leaf branches; although new leaves are thick and glossy, they are generally uneven and not spread out. If it is a valuable flowering plant, you can scatter a layer of pak choi or radish seeds, and pull them out a few days after they sprout, to consume the nutrients.

5. Drought-induced yellowing: due to long-term failure to water thoroughly or dehydration, although the new leaves keep a normal color, the lower leaves gradually dry, yellow and drop as they age upward.

6. Alkaline yellowing: some southern flowering plants especially prefer acidic soil, while northern water tends to be alkaline, so leaves gradually fade, turn yellow and even drop.

7. If the orchid's leaves are yellowish but growth is normal, it may be caused by too much light.

8. If the orchid's leaves turn yellow and the new buds are small, it is due to excessive light and a lack of nitrogen fertilizer and necessary humidity.

9. Yellowing and dropping of old leaves is normal aging or caused by repotting.

10. Rapid yellowing and dropping of old leaves: watering too much and too often, or improper repotting and planting.

11. In addition, growers can check whether their orchid has root rot or whether the potting medium is unclean. If there is root rot, disinfect and treat it as soon as possible, and keep it in a ventilated, drier environment.