Why are orchid leaves cracking? These are the main reasons
Orchids are flowering plants with very high ornamental value and are very popular among many people in China. Many people now very much enjoy growing potted orchids and keeping them at home for ornamental purposes. So the orchid planting area is still relatively large now, but whether it is home care or large-scale cultivation, orchids often develop cracked leaves during the growing process. So why do orchid leaves crack? Let's take a look below!
1. Pests
Orchids are threatened by pests during their growth, and some pests feed on orchid leaves and flowers, seriously affecting the growth of orchids. The most common pest during the orchid's growth period is the scale insect, and the main symptom scale insects cause to orchids is cracked leaves. This is because scale insects chew the leaves from the inside outward, so cracking appears in the leaves at an early stage. Therefore, we should pay attention to frequently checking the growth of orchids, and if scale insects are found, control them promptly. We should create a well-ventilated environment for orchids to reduce pest damage.
2. Diseases
Just as orchids can be harmed by pests, they can naturally also be invaded by diseases. There are many common orchid diseases, such as the common leaf spot disease and downy mildew. The main symptoms of common orchid diseases are spots appearing on the leaves, causing the leaves to lack water and dry up, and the middle of the leaves gradually cracking. Therefore, while controlling pests, diseases are also something we need to focus on. We should have some understanding of common orchid diseases so that when they occur, we can promptly identify exactly which disease it is. Then treat it accordingly, and prevent the condition from worsening and causing the leaf cracking to become more severe.
3. Fertilizer damage
Although orchids need proper fertilization during growth and cannot do without the nutrient supply from fertilizer, when fertilizing we should pay attention to controlling the amount. If fertilization is insufficient, orchids will be affected in their growth due to lack of nutrients, and the leaves will also turn yellow, dry up and crack. Fertilizer should also not be excessive; applying too much fertilizer can also very easily cause leaf cracking. At the same time, note that the leaves must not directly touch the fertilizer, otherwise the leaves are easily burned by the fertilizer. So everyone should pay attention to reasonable fertilization to ensure normal growth of orchids.
4. External factors
In addition to the above three, there are also some external factors that are major causes of orchid leaf cracking. For example, improper operation by growers when watering, fertilizing or pruning may cause leaf cracking. Also, if the plants are washed by rain or the rain is too heavy, there is a very high probability of leaf cracking. Therefore, when growing them, make sure orchids are in a place with good wind and rain protection, and when fertilizing, do not let fertilizer directly touch the leaves, to avoid the leaves being burned.
The above is a brief introduction to why orchid leaves crack. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and we hope it can help everyone!