How to rescue a sunburned Phalaenopsis orchid, and should the leaves be pruned right away?

Summer has quietly arrived. Today Guangdong recorded a high temperature of 37°C. When I left for work in the morning, I didn't have time to move the orchid to a shady spot, and by the time I got home in the afternoon, this pot of Phalaenopsis had a problem, most likely because the high LUX of summer sunlight directly sunburned the leaves.

Generally speaking, after a Phalaenopsis is sunburned by direct light, its color will change. Some leaves develop yellow-brown patches, some develop black patches. In the early stage of sunburn they are usually yellow, and afterward they become dry and withered with scorch marks. To the touch they become hard, as if they just came out of an oven, with clearly defined scorched patches at the edges.

So how do you handle it after sunburn? Effectively avoid exposing the leaves to the sun. In summer, do not leave them exposed to strong sunlight; an east-facing windowsill can be given priority. If your balcony happens to get direct sun, it is best to add a shade net or blinds to adjust the light for it, and as for the angle of light, note that it should not shine strongly and directly on the leaves, but fall softly on the plant. It is worth noting that during the spring-to-summer transition you should pay attention to changes in light, to avoid a sudden scorching period; at noon in summer the sun is usually at its fiercest, so pay more attention to the sunlight from 10 o'clock to 16 o'clock; in winter the sun is usually not strong, so you can moderately increase the light duration to promote growth.

For leaves that have already been sunburned, it is not recommended to prune them right away. Although the leaves have turned yellow, this has not affected their own ability to absorb light for photosynthesis. Unless it is a serious disease, it is best to let the leaves age naturally as much as possible, so that the plant does not lose too much leaf area. At the same time, do not water too frequently during this period, and also stop fertilizing, waiting for the plant to recover on its own, then gradually resume nutrient supply.

In addition, to relieve the high-heat weather, you can mist beside the plant at the right time to increase humidity, and you can also place a water tray around the pot to increase the surrounding humidity, but be sure to remember ventilation. If you accidentally get water into the leaf core while misting, promptly blot it dry with a tissue. This process is like performing surgery, otherwise excessive moisture will lead to fungal infection.