As long as orchids present themselves with juicy and shiny leaves, everything is fine. However, if the foliage hangs limp and wrinkled, the exotic flower diva calls for your help. You can find out here what causes the misery and how to remedy it.
If orchids are watered correctly, this can be seen from healthy, fleshy leaves
Lack of water robs leaves of their strength
If an orchid does not get enough water, the flowers will wilt prematurely and the leaves will lose their vitality. Although the plant tolerates short-term drought, the leaves still droop after a while. With this immediate measure you approach the problem professionally:
- Fill a bucket with lukewarm, lime-free water
- Dip the root ball in it
- If no more air bubbles rise, let the water drain well
The leaves that are already lamed usually show no improvement. Only the fresh foliage will thrive lush green again, provided you water the orchid in this way once or twice a week from now on.
Waterlogging causes the foliage to droop
An oversupply of water triggers root rot on orchids. As a result, the softened roots can no longer transport sufficient amounts of water and nutrients to the leaves. As a visible symptom, the foliage hangs down without sap and power. To fix the problem:
- Unpot the orchid and remove the wet substrate
- Cut off any rotten roots with a clean, sharp knife
Place 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. Water or immerse more sparingly than before only when the remaining roots have dried well.
Do not cut off limp leaves
Sadly drooping leaves affect the visual appearance of an orchid significantly. However, do not cut off the limp foliage. Only when an orchid leaf is completely drawn in and dead can it be removed. Until then, the remaining nutrients have been transferred 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 subject the location and care to a close examination. Lack of light, compacted substrate, diseases and pests cause orchids to react in this way.