Since plants don’t have voices to shout for help, they display subtle signs to let us know when they’re in trouble.
A lot of new gardeners, however, aren’t able to pick up on these signs/hints, meaning their plants’ sufferings and cries go unnoticed.
If you have orchids in your garden and want to be there for them in times of trouble, this article will walk you through 5 warning signs to look out for. Let’s dive right into it!
5 Warning Signs That Your Orchids Could Be In Trouble
5 – Leaf Discoloration
Abnormal patterns of discoloration on your orchid leaves indicate stress either due to a spreading disease or nutrient deficiency. Oftentimes, fungal or bacterial diseases leave stains and spots on leaves as they spread throughout the plant. A good fungicide or bactericide should help with this.
If nutrient deficiency is the problem, a balanced fertilizer should give your orchids a much-needed nutrient boost and bring down discoloration in the leaves.
4 – Droopy Stems & Flowers
If your orchids’ stems and flowers appear very dull and droopy, that is another sign you should look out for. Dryness due to underwatering or exposure to temperature extremes is likely to be the culprit behind this.
Your orchids essentially want stability in this case. A stable watering routine and temperature will go a long way in relieving your orchids from this trouble.
3 – Root Damage
Weak roots translate to a weak foundation for the plant. If your orchid roots appear brown and mushy, there’s a high chance that root rot has begun to decompose them. In some cases, the roots may even emit a foul smell, which further confirms that rot has set in.
The standard procedure now is to cut off the rotten roots and transfer the plant to another pot. However, keep in mind that watering practices should be adjusted as there’s a high chance that overwatering is what caused the rotting in the first place.
2 – Slower Than Usual Growth
Unusually slow growth is another indicator that your orchids could be in trouble. This may be a result of insufficient sunlight, lack of essential nutrients like nitrogen, or undesirable growing conditions.
Adjusting things and paying special attention to these variables may help push your orchids towards a healthier growth pace.
1 – Strange Holes & Residue
If your orchid flowers seem damaged with strange holes and waxy residue on their leaves, there’s a high chance your garden may be infested by pests and destructive insects. They feed on developing flowers and leaves, which negatively affects the plant’s overall health and longevity.
Keep an eye out for snails, slugs, spider mites, aphids, or mealybugs lingering around your orchids, and take measures to repel or eliminate them. Natural pesticides like neem or peppermint oil may help with that.
Final Words
It can be scary to think that you’ll never know when your orchids need you. But, you can do better than that; gardeners learn their plants’ language.
Plants communicate either by developing abnormal color patterns, drooping leaves, growing slower than usual, or sometimes even emitting a foul smell. Whenever your plant starts to appear or smell a way it shouldn’t, there’s definitely something wrong and you must not ignore it!
