leaves turning yellow - reason? - cure? - Orchid Board

paphlovian · #1 11-12-2007, 07:22 PM

Hello,

I started my orchid addiction around last April here in Florida. I now have around 20 orchids. What has started happening recently that hasn't happened so far is a yellowing of leaves (they yellow, then FALL off)... this is not just on one plant, but on multiple plants, even if they're not placed near one another. I'm thinking this might have to do with watering habits or climate change (it seemed to happen as things cooled off here a bit a few weeks ago and the air became a bit dryer). I have been fertilizing about once per week (or less) with a Better Gro orchid fertilizer.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I really don't want to loose all my orchids to this "yellowing and dropping"! I wish I could upload some photos for you to see, but I don't have photo cababilities right now.
Thanks for your help!

naturalgirl · #2 11-12-2007, 07:28 PM

I'm not an expert but I'm pretty sure yellow leaves can be a result of overwatering. How often do you water? Also, what kind of orchids are these?
I also think fertilizing once a week is a bit much, but again, I'm not an expert, just my two cents

You may find this link helpful: Yellowing Orchid Leave - What to Do « Orchid-Plants-Blog

paphlovian · #3 11-12-2007, 07:38 PM

Thanks for the link! I have a feeling it MIGHT have to do with the weather cooling off. But, I didn't think it's gotten THAT cold. ... just how cold is too cold for orchids? Do they need to be taken inside in Florida? I have different types or orchids including dendrobiums, paphlipedliums, phals, a vanda, and several other common types that I cannot remember the name for right now.

naturalgirl · #4 11-12-2007, 07:49 PM

You know, I have no idea if they need to be taken indoors in Florida because I have no idea what the average temperature is there

This is because I live in Canada where I wouldn't even DREAM of having an orchid outdoors at this time of year! I mean, we had SNOW the day before yesterday and the temperature has been going below freezing at night. *shrugs* I think Phals and dends like the temperature to be around 75-85 F during the day, maybe 60-65 F at night. Not sure about the others though...

orchidexpress · #5 11-12-2007, 08:07 PM

Leave one week off of fertilizing and just be flushing thru straight water. They could also possibly be too wet. It all depends on the mix, how long it's been in there, does it need to be changed, etc.

Happy Growing!
Lee

paphlovian · #6 11-12-2007, 09:48 PM

I don't think they're too wet. I've been watering 1-2x per week and it's drier than it was a month or two ago. They seem to be drying out very quickly. I have changed the medium for most of my orchids since I bought them (and have only had them for months).

Do you think the sun shining in the patio past the afternoon is too much? I didn't have any direct sunlight in the patio during the summer, but now it's starting to come close to the evening. ... though, I don't think the sun is the problem... I'm thinking of placing my orchids on the patio floor near the screen so I can flush them out easier (I typically dip them each into the same bucket of water so that the water doesn't just run all over the place).

John · #7 11-12-2007, 10:55 PM

Hi Angela...You said that you have repotted them, can you tell us what you used and the condition of the roots at that time? You also mentioned that you dip them in the same bucket of water...I generally water from the top and try not to have the same water go into another pot in case of pathogens. If you have one sick plant, water can spread whatever it is. Some of the Den will go dormant and lose their leaves in the cooler months only to resume growth in the spring. Maybe some of the growers in Florida can jump in here with some ideas. Good luck and don't panic yet. John

paphlovian · #8 11-12-2007, 11:02 PM

I used either a "special orchid mix" or special phal mix made by better gro... or a finer bark made by schultz. Depends on the plant. Yeah, I have been thinking of that lately: the risk of contaminating other plants by dipping. How do you manage watering since so much water runs out of the pots? For my other patio plants, I can use a watering can, but I wonder how to do it with the orchids without having water all over the place!(?) ... I can definitely give it a try, but I need to figure out a better set up for that first.

orchidexpress · #9 11-13-2007, 11:44 AM

When you dip your plants in a bucket you have a possibility of sharing fungus, if one plant has it. When it's colder orchids need more air movement in order to keep fungus down. Please water your orchids individually.

John · #10 11-13-2007, 02:45 PM

Hi Angela, Thanks for the additional info. It sounds to me at least that you are doing a lot right with your plants. You just have to get over a few rough spots. You may try watering your orchids over the bucket so that it can catch the water. Maybe a piece of plastic light grid or heavy screen to place the pot on. I have also used a garden pump up sprayer with the spray head removed to dispence the water. Most everyone I know also uses reverse osmosis water for the plants, less minerals and chemicals. I think I would pull the worst looking plant out of the pot and see the condition of the media and roots. Sometimes media that looks dry on the surface can be holding a lot of water. Let us know what you see. John