The structure, color and number of orchid leaves, as well as care and possible problems

Orchids are very different from other indoor flowers. The difference lies in the biological structure, living conditions. Therefore, care for them also needs an individual. Orchid belongs to the class of epiphytic, so special attention should be paid to leaves that are actively involved in the life of the plant. Next, we will tell you what changes in green mass you need to pay attention to when caring for an exotic flower.

The importance of foliage

Most representatives of the genus Orchid, which are grown on window sills, belong to the class of epiphytic. These are plants that live on trees or other plants, using them as a support. However, they are not parasites.

Foliage for epiphytes is of great importance. Not only rhizomes, but also leaf blades, orchids maintain water balance, receive nutrients, evaporate moisture (to learn about how an orchid with the help of aerial roots receives and stores moisture and sunlight, click here). Also, the leaves take an active role in the process of respiration of photosynthesis.

Many changes in the structure of the flower are associated with adaptation to the negative factors of the wild. Also, the dense, fleshy tissue of the deciduous integument serves as a kind of reservoir for the accumulation of life-giving moisture and micronutrients.

On a note. The flower absorbs the required amount of substances, thus, during the dormant period, it can survive in difficult conditions of an epiphytic lifestyle.

Color

A healthy leaf is strong, dense, holds firmly on the stem, in its advantage has a green color. Despite this, a fairly large part of the representatives of the Orchids noticed a motley color. Certain species are grown solely because of the decorative features of the foliage., at the same time, inflorescences are inconspicuous. These representatives include: anectochylus, hemaria, makodes. They are also called "precious orchids."

Among phalaenopsis and papiopedilums, distinguished by the beauty of flowers, specimens are observed that can also be attributed to decorative-leafy subspecies.

Color deviations

Of course, all deviations from the green tint are not the norm for orchids.

• Yellow may indicate withering, drying of the leaves, as well as improper care, an overdose of mineral fertilizers.
• Purple color - the leaves are damaged by the sun. Overheating in intense light or thermal burns can cause a similar effect.
• Reddish brown may result from excess lighting.
• And here black, dark brown suggests that the orchid is susceptible to infectious diseases, in particular rot.

Structure

Orchid leaves are simple or complex and what is their leaf arrangement? The leaves of the plant are mostly whole and completely extreme, precisely on the sides, usually parallel-nerve and without a noticeable petiole. The leaf plate of orchids is simple, arc-venation.

Reference. In a predominant number of epiphytic relatives, the leaves are articulated, and can be discarded. In other subspecies of the Orchid family, they do not have an articulation, as a result of which they do not fall, and, together with the stem, dry out or rot.

Basically, orchids have a double-row, regular arrangement of leaves.

Photo

Next, you can see the photo of the leaves:

Amount

A healthy, flowering plant should have succulent, glossy, fleshy leaves. As a result of physiological processes, the lower leaves age, turn yellow and dry. And instead, a young sprout appears from the outlet. How many leaflets should be? Their number depends on the variety of orchids. For example, phalaenopsis on average per year should grow 2-3 leaves.

Care

Orchids are home to rainforests with a humid and hot climate. In our latitudes, orchids need additional care, otherwise problems with the beauty of the beauty will immediately arise.

• Wipe the leaves regularly with a damp cloth, removing dust.
• It is advisable to spray the flower 5 times a day. Exclude the procedure during the flowering period.
• Use clean, filtered water with a temperature of 35-40ºС.
• Humidity within 50-60%. Be sure to regularly ventilate the room.
• The plant loves a warm shower, but the water should not stagnate in the axils of the leaves, otherwise there is a risk of diseases.
• Do not place the pot on a window with bright sunlight, the rays can leave thermal burns on the leaves.
• Lighting is required diffused, with a daylight duration of 14 hours.
• For active growth, juicy color of leaves, it is recommended to use fertilizers based on nitrogen.
• Perform a visual inspection of the foliage weekly for insect damage.

Problems

Based on the appearance of the plant, we can say with confidence how it feels.

Important! Leaves are a kind of status indicator. The main symptoms: yellowness of the leaf plate, as well as wilting, drying, blackening, falling leaves.

It’s not regrettable, but The causes of such ailments are considered illiterate care, infection with harmful insects or incorrect content parameters, and as a result the development of fungal, bacterial diseases.

What to do if leaf plates fall

When the green mass falls off the plant, you should not panic. First you need to figure out, perhaps, it's the aging of the flower. If not, then carefully examine the beauty, which parts also look unhealthy. After proceed with the following actions:

1. Review the features of care.
2. Move the flower to penumbra.
3. Exclude irrigation with tap water.
4. Take the flower away if there are cacti, cordilina, yucca, peperomia or araucaria in the neighborhood.
5. During the first two weeks, do not fertilize, and then weakly concentrated preparations based on nitrogen, for the growth rate of young shoots.
6. If necessary, change the pot and renew the soil.

Blackness appears

Unfortunately, more likely dark spots are a consequence of infection of an orchid with a bacterial, viral or fungal infection. Possible disease: phylostictosis or black spotting. This is an infectious disease that spreads in an environment of elevated temperature and humidity. Or anthracnose, occurs when water stagnates in the sinuses of the plant, and a sufficiently high humidity in the room.

Action taken:

1. isolate a diseased plant;
2. remove affected areas;
3. disinfect the sections with an antiseptic;
4. process the plant with a fungicide solution ("Skor", "Topsin-M").

Watch a video about one of the causes of blackening of orchid leaves and how to overcome the problem:

Yellowing

Lack of fluid can occur when there is no watering at all. A plant needs a minimum amount of water, which dissolves the minerals found in the soil and nourishes the root system.

Action taken:

1. we extract an orchid from a flowerpot;
2. immersed in a basin with water until the clay coma is deoxidized;
3. note that water should not fall on the leaves;
4. if necessary, put in a new pot.

Watch the video on why the leaves of the orchid turn yellow:

Withering

Foliage and orchid flowers wilt. Excessive moisture is a serious problem for plants.

Note! A flower damaged by rot begins to lose foliage.

Leaves become soft, less resilient. They fall off the stem, the plant develops like a constructor.

Action taken:

1. extract the flower from the pot;
2. rinse the roots under running water;
3. remove damaged areas, treat sections with an antiseptic;
4. leave to dry overnight;
5. transplant the orchid in a new soil and a good drainage layer;
6. water only after the soil has dried.

Watch the video why the orchid leaves wither:

All representatives of Orchid foliage are different from each other. It varies in form, structure, texture, it all depends on the place of growth, climate. However, the role of leaves in the life of a plant is undeniable.

Watch the video: How to know what's wrong with a Phalaenopsis Orchid from its leaves (December 2024).