If the lower old leaves of an orchid start to gradually turn yellow, this is a natural process. But if the leaves suddenly turn yellow, or if unblown buds and flowers are shed, it is worth considering the reasons for this phenomenon.
Why do orchid buds fall off?
If a newly acquired or gifted orchid has dropped its flower stalk, it is most likely stress from changing conditions, indoor climate, air humidity, lighting. And more often - an overdose of fertilizers to preserve the best marketable appearance of the plant when sold.
The reasons for this condition of a house orchid, which has been living on a particular windowsill for a long time, may be the following.
1. The pot was moved from the windowsill to the table, where there is little light.
2. The plant was placed close to the heating battery, where there is dry, hot air.
3. Forgot to water on time or, on the contrary, overwatered.
4. The orchid was caught in a draft of cold air.
5. Not enough fertilizer or too much fertilizer.
6. Pests have appeared.
These are the most common reasons, but there are also some that we don't know about. The orchid can be affected by the presence of fruits, vegetables, and even cut flowers that emit ethylene gas nearby. Pollination of the flower by an insect that has flown in from the street will also cause it to fall.
Please note! Any of these causes will harm the most delicate parts of the orchid: buds and flowers.
What to do and how to help an orchid
Having identified the cause, you can begin to restore the orchid by eliminating the factor that caused the leaves to turn yellow and the flowers and buds to fall off.
If the grower did not replant the flower in time, then the roots in the small pot could be damaged, which supply nutrition to all parts of the plant, and its deficiency leads to the shedding of buds and yellowing of leaves. The old soil has compacted, it should be changed, choose a container larger than the previous one (but not much, 1-2 cm larger in diameter).
When the cause of the deterioration of the plant's condition is root rot, it should be removed from the container, the root system should be freed from the substrate, and washed well.
Dry and examine carefully, and if you find rotten roots, remove them and treat the cuts with crushed activated carbon, fungicide or brilliant green. Plant the orchid in a new substrate. And after a while, begin foliar feeding to give time for the root system to recover.
Spraying the plant with a solution of succinic acid and ammonia and wiping the leaves with this composition has a very beneficial effect on the plant. Nutrients will immediately begin to be absorbed through the surface of the leaf, which will have a positive effect on the appearance of all parts of the orchid.
If the flower does not like its habitat, you should choose another one where the temperature, humidity and lighting will be comfortable.
The healthy appearance of a tropical beauty, in addition to external factors, depends on our attention and proper care.
It is necessary to regularly monitor the condition of the orchid in order to notice any deviations in time and prevent unwanted manifestations, because proper care takes much less time than rehabilitation or treatment.
