Why do Phalaenopsis orchid leaves turn yellow, become soft and droop?
In busy city life, why do people favor the Phalaenopsis orchid as a flower? The reason is that its elegant posture and brilliant colors always win people's affection. However, on the road to pursuing this beauty, quite a few flower enthusiasts encounter a very difficult problem to solve, which is that the Phalaenopsis orchid's leaves have turned yellow. This is undoubtedly a big blow to those caring for it, so under normal care conditions, how can the "yellow leaves" situation be avoided?
Poor control of moisture
When the Phalaenopsis orchid suddenly has some leaves turn yellow during its flowering period, the most direct cause is a problem with water management, because the Phalaenopsis orchid has relatively high water requirements; it can neither have too much nor too little, and if the two cannot be balanced, yellow leaves will result. If there is a lack of water, the plant's leaves will not be glossy green and will lose their luster, gradually turning yellow. But if there is too much water, it can cause root rot or lead to black rot disease. Therefore, the watering principle is the "water when dry, stop when wet" method. If you do not know how to judge, just touch the sphagnum moss with your hand to analyze whether watering is needed; if it is dry, replenish the moisture in time, and if it is dripping wet, then even if it has not been watered for several days, you must not add more moisture to it.
Light requirements of the Phalaenopsis orchid
The Phalaenopsis orchid very much likes a bright environment, because both its growth and flowering must benefit from photosynthesis. However, when giving it light, you must not directly expose it to fierce sunlight; overly strong direct light will scorch the leaves and cause yellow leaves, while too dark a place will prevent the plant from photosynthesizing and cause the same yellow leaf problem. Therefore, to ensure the Phalaenopsis orchid has light conditions, you can place it in an east-facing position during the soft sunlight hours in the morning and evening. If the home conditions really do not have such scattered light conditions, then it is recommended to buy a special orchid lamp to give it light.
Mistakes in the fertilizing step
The amount of fertilizer for the Phalaenopsis orchid is not something that can be handled just by fertilizing on time; specifically, it needs to be determined in combination with the actual condition of the soil. For example, if the fertilizer concentration is not adjusted well and unnecessary nutrients are directly added to the soil, it will hinder its growth, make the leaves turn yellow, and even cause root rot. Therefore, it is recommended that during the growth stage of the Phalaenopsis orchid, a balanced supply of elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium can be used, and if conditions permit, soil test kits can be used to measure the soil's pH value and nutrient content, so that the plant can be cared for precisely.