Solving Common Orchid Problems
Orchids are known as finicky, high maintenance flowering plants, but in reality, the majority of orchids are no more difficult to grow than your average houseplant. It can take some trial and error to find just the right growing conditions, and when the orchid is not happy, it tells you loud and clear. You just need to hear what it’s telling you. If you have orchid problems, address them right away and you’ll both be happy.
Orchids with Pale Leaves
The most common ailment for orchids is pale or yellow leaves. It may not be an ailment at all – it could just be the natural aging process that occurs when the leaves age and die off. This would most likely occur on foliage at the bottom level.
For younger leaves, paling and yellowing in foliage is normally caused by too much light and not enough nutrients. Move the orchid to a lower light location and feed with a fertilizer that is specific to orchids. Another cause of yellow leaves – a stressed out orchid due to low temperatures. Make sure your plant is not getting cold drafts nor temperatures under 55 degrees, which can happen if it’s set on a window sill in a cold climate.
Orchids with Deep Green Leaves
Deep, dark green leaves are not a good sign, it is the light, grassy green colored leaves that indicate optimum orchid health. While the orchid is healthy with the deep green leaves, it needs a little more light to truly thrive. Try moving it to a sunnier location, not direct sunlight, just more of it.
Orchids with Brown Leaves
Brown splotches on orchid leaves, particularly at the folds or tips, is caused by sunburn. Too much direct light has scalded the leaves, so move the orchid to a location where it can get more indirect light in this instance.
Orchids that Don’t Bloom
One of the most often heard complaints from orchid owners – “My orchid hasn’t bloomed in two years or more”. If the orchid is otherwise healthy and not blooming, most often the cause is not enough light. Any plant that flowers, even shade plants, needs sunlight to bloom. Moving the plant gradually into brighter lighting conditions, even just sliding it closer to the window, is your best bet for finding the right exposure without send the plant into shock.
As you can see from the most common orchid problems, the light level is normally the culprit. Different species of orchids have different light requirements. Make sure you know what type of orchid you have and what the lighting requirement is for that species. Buying from an experienced orchid grower or nursery will ensure that you have a properly identified, happy and healthy orchid.
