How to Remove Damaged Orchid Leaves
With their captivating beauty and uncanny ability to elevate the ambiance and prestige of a space, orchids are also perceived as high maintenance and finicky flowers. Enthusiasts go to great lengths to preserve orchids' delicate appearance to ensure they thrive for years to come. Care for yours by removing leaves when they become yellow, wrinkled, soggy, spotted or drooping. These are usually indicators of over-watering, improper exposure to sunlight, or bacterial/fungal infection. Orchid owners can safely remove leaves threatening the health and beauty of their orchid. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Cutting tool (garden shears or straight edge knife)
- Bleach or rubbing alcohol
- Fungicide paste or cinnamon powder
- Cotton swab
- Gloves
- Clean cloth/rag
Instructions
-
-
1
Wear gloves and clear the working area of other plants.
-
2
Dilute one part of bleach or rubbing alcohol with three parts of water in a bowl.
-
-
3
Soak the blade of your cutting tool in the bleach/alcohol solution for about 10 minutes.
-
4
Rinse and air dry or wipe the tool with a clean cloth.
-
5
Pinpoint the greenest (healthiest) part of the leaf, usually between the base of the plant, and past the line of discoloration.
-
6
Cut through this point (well into the green), in a straight line across the leaf's width, completely severing the unhealthy part of the leaf from the plant.
-
7
Apply a plant fungicide paste or cinnamon with a cotton swab directly to the cut, concealing it completely.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Hold a cutting tool over a flame for a few seconds, then remove and wipe with household (isopropyl) rubbing alcohol, for an alternative way to disinfect.
Cutting very close to the base of the plant is okay. The objective is to remove the unhealthy part of the plant and prevent the spread of disease to the orchid.
Even healthy orchids drop their leaves as part of the growing process. Usually the bottom (oldest) leaves fall off first. They feel much less firm than the newer ones, and appear floppy when they're ready to fall. Pinch towards the base of the leaf and it should release right away if it's old enough. If the leaf doesn't fall off, and it's too unsightly to leave on, cut it off close to the base.
Use cinnamon on a cut orchid stem as well.
Cut the leaf only when there's significant damage. Don't remove small areas of minor imperfection and expose your plant to the unnecessary risk of infection.
