What should I do if the orchid leaves I bought are dehydrated?

What to Do if the Leaves of the Purchased Orchid Dehydrate

An introduction to dealing with dehydrated orchid leaves, with detailed answers to follow by the editor.

What to Do if the Leaves of the Purchased Orchid Dehydrate

Soak the dehydrated orchid in water that is three inches deep for 1-2 hours. After its roots and leaves have absorbed some water, hang the orchid upside down in a cool and well-ventilated area. After slightly drying the water, plant the orchid in a semi-dry planting material and place it in a cool and humid area for maintenance. Ideally, maintain 70%-80% humidity in the orchid's environment.

What to Do if the Leaves of the Online-Purchased Orchid Are Slightly Dehydrated

Actually, this situation usually occurs during long-distance shipping due to poor moisture retention and freshness preservation.

Problems at any stage of the orchid's removal from the pot, packaging, or transportation can lead to water loss or damage, making it difficult to recover growth after planting.

Therefore, when purchasing orchids online, enthusiasts should not just look at attractive pictures but choose reputable nurseries with actual orchid displays.

Moisture retention is key during the shipping process.

Because if there are no proper moisture retention measures, the orchid is likely to lose water without access to moisture and nutrients during the shipping, which can last from a few days to over a week. By the time it reaches you, the packing material is often already dry.

Mild dehydration causes the leaves to become limp, reducing or losing their luster; severe dehydration results in dry and wilted leaves, slight wrinkles or curled edges, and shrunken, dried roots.

What should we do if the orchid we bought has this problem? What issues should we pay attention to? Here are a few points to consider.

1) Provide Some Water to the Dehydrated Orchid

Soak the dehydrated orchid in water that is three inches deep for 1-2 hours. After its roots and leaves have absorbed some water, hang the orchid upside down in a cool and well-ventilated area.

After slightly drying the water, plant the orchid in a semi-dry planting material and place it in a cool and humid area for maintenance.

2) Ensure Moisture Retention and Management

Ideally, maintain 70%-80% humidity in the orchid's environment. If not possible, mist the leaves once an hour, ensuring no water drips off.

Alternatively, cover the orchid pot with a transparent plastic bag, puncturing the top with a dozen small holes for ventilation.

During the moisture retention period, avoid watering thoroughly. After 20-30 days of moisture retention measures, place the pot in a well-ventilated area with scattered light.

3) Issues to Keep in Mind

Never fertilize a dehydrated orchid. Fertilizing too early can cause the basal and heart leaves to turn black, leading to root rot and plant death.

Therefore, for orchids injured by dehydration, be particularly careful of fertilizer damage. It's best to wait until new leaf buds are 5 inches tall before applying a dilute fertilizer once a month. Only after half a year of recovery growth can normal fertilization and maintenance resume.

The above is the specific content on what to do if the leaves of the purchased orchid dehydrate, for everyone's reference.