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First of all, we need to see why some of your orchid leaves are yellow, there are several factors: it could be because your orchid is infected with a bacteria or fungus, because it’s not getting enough or getting too much light, or just because they are old leaves and it’s natural that they wither and fall.
When we have a problem, it’s when we are talking about young yellow leaves. These can turn yellow if they are not receiving enough light or the lack fertilizing. In this case, they will seem pale and have a yellowish green color, without being completely yellow. The solution is simple!! Provide more light and fertilize!!
It’s important, as always, to keep in mind your genus’ or specie’s preferences, to know how much light they need.
Orchids that have been exposed too much to the sun can also get yellow leaves. When this is the cause, besides turning yellowish green, they will also present round or oval darker marks, sunburns!! The presence of this marks is the easiest way to determine if your dealing with a sunburn or if you have another issue.
If this has happened to your orchid, don’t worry too much. Increment the relative humidity and wait to see what happens to the leaves. Maybe the sunburn is not that big and the leave may survive; if the sunburn is severe, then the leave will wither prematurely and fall. But your orchid can make it through!! Lots of humidity and healthy roots can help it through while it develops new leave growths.
If your leaves start to become yellow from the outside in, then they are not getting enough water. If the leaves are also becoming leathery, wrinkled and are thiner, then we have a more serious issue. With any of these symptoms, check the roots!! You may be watering correctly, but if the root system is damaged (rotten) your plant is not being able to absorb water and nutrients; you need to cut and cauterize those rotten roots. Increase the relative humidity levels.
At last, if your orchid seems green and healthy bit you find yellow spots, with a darker center, you can be dealing with one of two causes: a fungal infection or the presence of some pest. Check your plant completely, if you don0t find evidence of pest presence (webs, insects, eggs…), then you have a fungal problem.
These fungal infections appear when we have poor air circulation around our orchids. If your RH is high, the light is low and there’s no ventilation, you have the perfect habitat for fungi to reproduce. In genus like Oncidium, that have thin leaves, it’s common to have this issue if the leaves stay wet for long.
If the problem is minor, increase the ventilation and light. Be careful and don’t go to high to the other extreme and sunburn your plant! If your complete collection is infected, try some of our home remedies. If the infection is severe, we recommend you go chemical with a systemic fungicide (we have them in our store).
Now, if you have a set problem it’s vital that you act fast!! Check out our Pest Control section to see what you’re dealing with, know the home remedies we suggest and get rid of it!! Again, if the infestation si severe, you may have to go chemical.
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