How to Deal with Yellowing Tips on Orchid Leaves
A comprehensive explanation of how to deal with yellowing tips on orchid leaves, as well as the causes of yellowing leaves and solutions for green plant maintenance, follows.
Orchids are evergreen flowers that are usually admired for their leaves and flowers. They prefer environments with high humidity, are drought-tolerant but afraid of waterlogging, and well-maintained orchids with green leaves appear vibrant. Recently, some netizens have asked why the orchids they are raising always have yellowing leaves and dry tips. This situation must indicate a problem in management and shows that the orchid is not healthy. We need to take timely measures to save the orchid; otherwise, it will wither away!
Why Do Orchid Leaves Turn Yellow and Dry at the Tips? 6 Methods to Help You Solve the Problem
①, Dry Environmental Humidity
Orchids are flowers that prefer high humidity environments. When their leaves turn yellow or dry at the tips, it indicates that the air humidity is insufficient and too dry, causing the orchid leaves to turn yellow or dry at the tips. Originally, orchids grow in mountainous areas where there is a lot of fog and dew, making the leaves of orchids look glossy and green.
Suggestion: When raising orchids at home, we must create a high-humidity environment for them. When the air is moist, the orchid leaves will not turn yellow or dry at the tips. Especially during dry seasons and high temperatures, spray water on the orchids to increase air humidity, which cools and moisturizes, making the orchids look vibrant.
②, Excessive Sunlight
We know that orchids originally grow in the shade of trees on mountains, and they prefer semi-shaded light. If the orchid leaves at home turn yellow or dry at the tips, it must be caused by excessive sunlight. High temperatures and strong sunlight can easily burn the orchid leaves and evaporate their moisture, causing the leaves to turn yellow or dry at the tips!
Suggestion: Never expose potted orchids to direct sunlight, as it can easily lead to poor growth. Even on a balcony with strong sunlight, it should be shaded. Especially when the temperature is above 25 degrees Celsius, exposure to the sun can make the orchid leaves rough and yellow, lacking luster. Therefore, except for winter, it's best to place orchids under the shade of trees or in a position with scattered light at home, as weak light is most suitable for orchid growth, making the leaves green and healthy.
③, Excessive Fertilization and Watering
Yellowing leaves on orchids may be related to excessive nitrogen fertilizer or raw fertilizer. Orchids have fleshy roots and dislike raw fertilizer. If homemade fermented fertilizer is not well-fermented and applied to orchids, it can cause leaf burn. Never fertilize during high or low temperatures because orchids are in a resting period and do not absorb fertilizer, which can also cause leaf yellowing.
Suggestion: Do not randomly fertilize potted orchids. During their growing season, apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to promote the nutrients needed for orchid growth, making the leaves green and bright. Before flowering, focus on phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to help orchids set buds and bloom with vibrant colors. Remember, orchids dislike concentrated fertilizers and should be fertilized lightly and frequently!
How to Deal with Yellowing Tips on Orchid Leaves
④, Soil Too Dry or Too Wet
Some orchid enthusiasts think that orchids have fleshy roots, are drought-tolerant, and dislike waterlogging, so they don't water their orchids for a long time, leading to yellowing or dry tips on the leaves. If they water the orchids excessively without restraint, the excessive moisture in the substrate can cause the orchid roots to become stuffy and the leaves to turn yellow.
Suggestion: When watering orchids, don't wait until the substrate is completely dry. Feel the soil with your hand, and water when the surface is dry. Don't water halfway, or it won't quench the thirst. Water slowly until water comes out of the bottom of the pot. In high temperatures, water in the evening and maintain ventilation during the day, spray water on the pot or around it to increase humidity and cool down; in cold weather, control watering and water in the middle of sunny days when the soil is too dry.
⑤, Long-term Neglect of Potting Soil Replacement
Orchids prefer acidic soil and are afraid of alkaline soil. When their potting soil is not replaced for a long time, the originally acidic substrate has been depleted by watering, fertilizing, and plant growth, turning into alkaline soil. At the same time, the soil is not breathable or water-permeable, which can cause the orchid leaves to turn yellow or dry at the tips.
Suggestion: Generally, orchids that have been raised for about 2 to 3 years need to be repotted with new substrate, as new soil is loose, breathable, and fertile. Only by maintaining good drainage and acidity will orchids grow well. Use decomposed pine needles, peanut shells, or leaf mold soil, mixed with a little field soil and coal slag or coarse sand. This way, the orchid roots will be robust, and the leaves will be tender and green.
⑥, Poor Ventilation
The reason for yellowing or dry tips on orchid leaves may be due to poor ventilation in the environment. Fleshy plants like orchids are most afraid of poor ventilation. We know that orchids originally grow in well-ventilated mountains, and if the ventilation at home is slightly poor, the orchids will have yellow leaves and dry tips!
Suggestion: When we find yellowing or dry tips on orchid leaves, cut off the dry tips and place them in a position with good ventilation and scattered light at home. Especially after watering, it must be ventilated, otherwise, the orchid will not only have yellow leaves but also rot and die. Even in winter, when growing orchids in a greenhouse, they should also be ventilated.
The above is the experience and knowledge about how to deal with yellowing tips on orchid leaves and the causes and solutions for yellowing leaves from the Green Plant Enthusiast website. I hope this article can bring you some help!