A lack of water robs leaves of their strength
If an orchid receives too little water, the flowers wither prematurely and the leaves lose their vitality. Although the plant tolerates short-term drought, the leaves hang limply after a while. With this immediate measure you can approach the problem professionally:
- Pour lukewarm, lime-free water into a bucket
- Dip the root ball in it
- If no more air bubbles rise, let the water drain off well
also read
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The leaves, which are already flagging, usually show no improvement. Only the fresh leaves will flourish lush green again, provided you water the orchid in this way once or twice a week from now on.
Waterlogging causes the leaves to sag
An oversupply of water causes root rot in orchids. The softened roots can then no longer transport sufficient quantities of water and nutrients into the leaves. As a visible symptom, the leaves hangs sapless and weak. How to fix the problem:
- Pot the orchid and remove the wet substrate
- Cut off any rotten roots with a clean, sharp knife
Put the root ball in fresh orchid soil and place the pot in a warm, partially shaded location. Limit the water supply to regular spraying for the following days and weeks. Only when the remaining roots have dried well, water or dip more sparingly than before.
Do not cut off limp leaves
Sadly drooping leaves significantly affect the visual appearance of an orchid. However, do not cut off the limp leaves. Only when an orchid leaf is completely absorbed and dead can it be removed. Until then, the remaining nutrients are shifted to the bulbs and roots.
Tips
If an orchid sheds its leaves overnight, there is an urgent need for action. If a natural growth cycle can be ruled out as the cause, please carefully examine the location and the maintenance. A lack of light, compacted substrate, diseases and pests cause orchids to react.
