If your orchid is dying, it means that there is an environmental factor causing the plant stress and affecting its overall health. In order to save your orchid, you need to be able to correctly identify the cause of its declining health so that treatment can be timely and specific.
The most common reasons for dying orchids are root rot, underwatering, crown rot, sun damage, too much fertilizer and temperature issues.
In this article, we will discuss the different reasons your orchid may be dying and how to save it.
Why is my orchid dying?
Root rot
Root rot is one of the most common problems experienced by orchid owners. Root rot usually occurs when the plant is being overwatered or if it is in an inappropriate container that allows the plant to stand in water for longer than it should. When the potting medium starts to decompose, it will become acidic and damage the orchid’s roots. If it is too compact, the roots can suffocate and die, which also leads to root rot.
You can check whether your orchid has root rot by taking the plant out of the container, removing the potting medium and examining the roots. If the roots have turned brown or black, or if they have become mushy and soft to the touch, they have root rot.
You can save your orchid by pruning the dead roots with sterile scissors. After the rotten roots have been removed, repot the orchid using fresh potting mix.
The best way to avoid root rot is to not overwater your orchid. The roots need to be able to dry out between waterings so that they have a chance to breathe.
Underwatering
If you do not give your orchids the water that they need, they will become dehydrated. Yes, the potting medium needs to be well-draining and allow the roots to dry out between watering, but that does not mean you can forget to water your orchids for extended periods of time.
During the warmer months, the potting medium will dry up faster, so you may need to water the plant more frequently than normal. Adjust your watering schedule depending on the current weather, the climate where you live, the potting medium you are using, and the type of orchid you have. For example, you may be watering the orchid once every three weeks during the winter, but that may not be enough for the plant during the summer.
It is also possible that you are watering the plant regularly but the amount you are giving is not enough. The roots will dry out too quickly and this will also lead to dehydration.
Signs of dehydration include dry potting medium and floppy, wrinkly leaves.
Save your dehydrated orchid by taking it out of the potting medium and letting the roots soak in water. Make sure only the roots are soaked, and not the entire plant. Running the roots under water also cleans them off and lets you get a better look at which ones are dead and which can still be saved.
Sterilize your scissors or your knife before cutting off dead roots. Then, spray the roots with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Let the plant air-dry for a few hours before repotting it in fresh potting medium.
Crown rot
When water gets into the crown of the orchid’s root system, it can lead to a severe problem called crown rot. In the plants’ natural habitat, they grow in the canopy of trees where their roots cannot collect water, making crown rot almost impossible.
In households, orchids are grown in an upright position, making it easy for water to pool in the crown of the plant.
If you accidentally get water into the crown of your orchid, you can use a paper towel to absorb the water until it is mostly gone.
You can tell if your orchid has crown rot when the leaves are falling off, the crown has turned black, and the remaining leaves have turned yellow near the crown.
You should moderate your expectations about the possibility of saving an orchid with crown rot. It is possible, but the chances are slim.
To do this, remove the plant from the medium, prune off any dead roots and spray them with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Let the plant air-dry and wipe off excess moisture with a paper towel if necessary. Repot the orchid in a clean container with new potting medium, making sure the roots are not too far in. Apply ground cinnamon in the crown of the orchid to prevent spread of the rot. After this, you can only wait and see whether your efforts were successful.
Sun damage
When your orchid gets too much sunlight or is exposed to hot temperatures, it can lead to sun damage. The plant’s leaves will turn yellow.
Save your sunburnt orchid by relocating it to a spot where it only gets bright but indirect light, like near a window.
In the winter, keep the plant near the window, but you may have to move it as the seasons get warmer.
You cannot save the sun-damaged leaves, so just leave them and they will fall off on their own. You can also prune them off for aesthetic reasons.
Too much fertilizer
Giving your orchid too much fertilizer can be harmful. The toxicity can cause root burn. You can correct overfertilization by soaking the roots in water. Repeat this at least once to make sure most of the fertilizer has been flushed out.
In cases where the root burn is particularly bad, you may need to repot the plant. Remove all the heavily affected roots and soak the remaining roots in water to flush out the fertilizer. Air-dry the orchid and repot using new medium.
Avoid this problem by giving your plant half the dosage recommended on the packaging.
Temperature changes
Changes in the temperature around the orchid can greatly affect it. Both extremes of temperature can cause the plant stress and lead to its death.
The plant wants to be in a spot where the temperature is neither too hot nor too cold. If there is any damaged foliage, just prune it off.
Conclusion
The key to saving your dying orchid is to know what exactly is causing the symptoms in the first place. If you are able to correctly identify the cause of the stress, it will make treatment that much easier and faster.
The most common causes of a dying orchid plant are root rot, underwatering, crown rot, sun damage, too much fertilizer and temperature issues.
Orchids can be quite fickle and are more high-maintenance than most plants, but the reward of their beauty will be worth all your effort.
Image: istockphoto.com / RHJ