What causes orchid leaves to hang? What can you do to save the plant?
Anyone who has cared for a few orchids has probably dealt with their special requirements. As epiphytes, these beautiful exotics differ from most houseplants and there are a lot of things you have to take into account when caring for them. With my small orchid collection, I have encountered many problems with these plants and fortunately I have developed a green thumb over time. Today I'm going to address a common problem: What can you do if the orchid leaves are hanging?
Hanging leaves on orchids: the causes
If you notice a problem with your plant, the first thing you should do is determine the cause in order to find the right solution. The first time I saw drooping leaves on one of my orchids, I was sure there was something wrong with the care. Normally the leaves should be smooth and feel plump and not hang limply. That's why I first investigated the possible reason - the water supply.
Orchid leaves droop due to improper watering
Drooping orchid leaves mean 90 percent of the time that you are watering incorrectly. And the most common reason is lack of water. There is a misconception that orchids should be watered sparingly. However, that is not the case at all. Exactly the opposite - since specimens like the popular Phalaenopsis are native to tropical rainforests, they need a lot of water and moisture. If an orchid is not watered adequately, it will become dehydrated and will react with droopy leaves.
However, it is also possible that the leaves are drooping due to overwatering. If you overwater, the roots begin to rot and the plant can no longer absorb water. And when the leaves don't get water, they become dehydrated and the plant responds with limp, shriveled leaves.
Wrong substrate
But there are also other possible reasons for a problem with the leaves. If the orchids are in the wrong substrate, they can also start to droop. This often happens after repotting if you didn't choose the right mix. Pieces of bark that are too large and large gaps in the substrate prevent the plant from being properly watered.
But over time you canspecial orchid substraterot and the roots become constricted. The pieces of bark break down and become more absorbent, which is also a reason for the drooping leaves. Orchids need a loose, well-drained mix to have lush green, upright foliage.
Too few nutrients
During the growth phase, a Phalaenopsis needs a lot of nutrients. Have you never fertilized your orchid? Then don't wonder why it isn't thriving.The experts adviseTo fertilize the exotic plants with mineral liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks during the growth phase so that they grow healthily and splendidly.
The plant is stressed
As you may already know, most species of orchids do not like sudden changes in their environment. This can stress the plant and is also a possible reason for the limp leaves. For example, if the leaves start to droop shortly after moving into the house, then that's basically okay: the orchid needs time to get used to the new location and the new conditions. Provide the plant with water as needed and wait a few days for it to recover.
What to do if the orchid leaves hang? Solutions
Almost every problem has a solution, so don't be discouraged if the orchid leaves are hanging. In most cases, you can save the plant if you take the right measures depending on the suspected cause.
Let's go back to irrigation. The very first thing you should check for limp leaves is the substrate. First, think about whether you have watered the plant irregularly or too often in the last few weeks - perhaps you already know what the problem is. Then feel the bark or peat moss by sticking your finger into the pot. Is the substrate completely dry? Or soaked? Then take a look at the roots: do they look brown and dry? Or are they mushy, yellowish and soft? Here's how you can decipher these features:
Dry substrate and brown, dry roots ⇒ lack of water
→ Solution: Give the orchid a water bath by placing the entire plastic pot (with drainage) in a larger container of water for at least 30 minutes.
Wet bark/wet peat moss and mushy, yellow roots ⇒ overwatering
→ Solution: Remove the plant from the pot and allow the roots to dry completely. Cut off any rotten and unhealthy roots before repotting the orchid.
If, in your opinion, the old and decomposed substrate is the reason for the limp orchid leaves, then the solution is simple - repot the plant. Both spring and autumn are suitable for this. It is only important that the flowering period of the plant has ended. We already have everything you need to consider when repottingsummarized in this post.
Can you cut off limp leaves?
Although cutting off the leaves may seem to solve the problem, this is not always the right approach. Phalaenopsis only produces one or two new leaves per year. If you always cut off hanging orchid leaves, the plant can lose all of its foliage. Only remove a leaf if it has completely yellowed. The green hanging leaves will recover with proper care.
Summary
Orchid leaves should be upright, firm and rich green. If they look leathery and hang limply, then there is most likely a watering problem. What you can do in this case is to first check the substrate and, if necessary, give the plant a water bath or let the roots dry. It is also important to consider all of the exotic plant's requirements in terms of location, substrate and nutrient supply so that it can look healthy and bloom for years.
