A lush blooming orchid is a great view. If care is not taken correctly, the flowers will fade quickly and the orchid stem will turn yellow. What happens next with the care? What can you do to extend the flowering period?
Why is my orchid's stem turning yellow? Many orchid growers ask themselves this question - both experienced and beginners. Because there can be many reasons for this. For example, sometimes the plant's natural life cycle is to blame, which is nothing to worry about. But if the orchid has not yet bloomed or only bloomed briefly before the stem turns yellow, then this is a sign of a problem. Today we will take a closer look at the question and explain why the orchid stem turns yellow and what you should do if this happens to save the plant.
The orchid stem turns yellow: the causes and solutions
As a passionate orchid grower, I have encountered this problem several times. That's why I know that there are various reasons for this. The most common of these are:
- End of flowering period
- Overwatering
- strong sunlight
- Temperature fluctuations
- Under-fertilization/nutrient deficiency
Let's take a closer look at them.
The orchid has faded: time to cut it off
Orchids are real permanent bloomers. As a rule, the flowering period lastsfrom 6 to 12 weeks, whereby the Phalaenopsis can even bloom for up to 4-5 months. Has your orchid been blooming for a long time?she is already dropping her flowers, then the yellowing of the stem is completely normal. So that it doesn't dry out completely and have to be completely removed, you should use scissors now.
Now comes the big question: WHERE is the stem cut? Depending on how far the stem is yellow, it is cut with clean scissors above the second or third eye, or higher if possible(count the eyes from bottom to top). In principle, you should only remove the yellow part, leaving the green stem. From there he can drive out again. If the entire stem is already yellow or dried out, you can cut it off completely.
Subsequent care: If you have cut your orchid after it has finished blooming, thenthe rest phase comes. Place the plant in a slightly cooler place, for example in the bedroom, and reduce the amount of water and fertilizer.
If the flower stalk has not yet bloomed but is starting to yellow, you may have one of the following problems:
The plant was watered too much
Excessive watering is one of the main causes oflots of orchid problems, including yellowing stems. Basically, it is important to supply the roots well with water. But if you water it too often, or if the water stays in the pot for a long time, the excess moisture can penetrate the stem and displace the oxygen from it. This causes green tissue to be lost and the orchid stem turns yellow.
Solution: Overwatering isn't always easy to deal with, but it can be done. First, take the plant out of the pot and check the roots. If they are white, mushy or hollow, then the plant is receiving more water than it can absorb.Cut off the unhealthy rootsand allow the remaining ones to dry and recover before placing the plant back in the pot with fresh, dry substrate and watering again.
Too much direct sunlight
As for the location,many orchid owners keeptheir exotics on the windowsill. This is not always wrong, but it depends on the window orientation. Orchids need indirect sunlight and prolonged exposure to strong sunlight can reduce the plant's chlorophyll content and aYellowing of leavesand trigger stems.
The solution here is very simple – change the location. Move the plant away from the south-facing window and initially place it in a cooler location with indirect light. Water thoroughly and allow excess water to drain away. Stop fertilizing until the stem is green again.
Temperature fluctuations affect the flowering orchid
From my own experience I can say that a blooming orchid does not belong in an unheated room in winter. I received a pink orchid with lots of flowers as a gift and put it in my guest room, which is not regularly heated in winter. When I had visitors, the room was heated for a week and then I turned the heating down again. The plant responded immediately. The temperature fluctuations caused the orchid to bloom prematurely and it lost its flowers far too quickly. One flower stalk then began to turn yellow from above.
In this case you should cut off the yellow part above one eye again, otherwise the whole stem will turn yellow. I just did that. Then water the orchid, fertilize sparingly and wait to see if it sprouts again.
Nutrient deficiency
Unlike potting soil, orchid substrates provide very little actual nutrition. Therefore, an additionalFertilizing orchidscrucially important. Nutrient deficiencies occur when the plant receives either too much calcium or too little nitrogen. Hard water increases calcium levels, with nitrogen being the element that ensures healthy green leaves and stems. Early signs of nutrient deficiency include stunted growth, failure to flower, and yellow or dark spots on leaves.
If you haven't fertilized your orchid yet, start with half a dose of orchid fertilizer first. Use filtered, distilled or tap water that has sat for several days so that the plant does not get too many chemicals from the irrigation water. Fertilize monthly until you see new, healthy green growth.
Also interesting:How can you stimulate new flower shoots in orchids?
Will my orchid grow new stems?
In short: Yes, your orchid will produce a new flower stalk if you care for it properly and be patient. Patience is the be-all and end-all when growing orchids. Most orchids bloom for several months and come back into bloom after about a year, so all you have to do is wait and properly care for the plant in the meantime. When it blooms again it feels like a real reward.
