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Why Is My Orchid Wilting (Top 5 Reasons to Pay Attention)

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Why is my orchid wilting? What’s the reason? I’ve been taking proper care of it, but then what happened? Where I’ve been lacking?

Have you been asking these questions to yourself all day long?

We’ve got the answer for you to take your worries off and have some great solutions to bring back your blooming orchid soon.

Orchids are one of the most elegant and beautiful flowers you can grow in your garden. Their exotic yet serene look makes them a popular indoor and outdoor gardening choice. However, indoor orchids are more in the trend.

When these flowers bloom, they put on a colorful and diverse show. Sometimes you might notice that it has started to wilt. This happens naturally at the end of a flower’s life cycle, but if the orchid is losing shape before that, there’s something wrong you must pay attention to.

If you’re worried and thinking, ‘why is my orchid wilting,’ keep reading the article to know those 5 reasons why your orchid is wilting and how you can revive it.

Why Is My Orchid Wilting
“Why are my orchids wilting and falling off?” via Reddit

Why Is My Orchid Wilting? Top 5 Reasons You Need to Know

If you have been searching for “why is my orchid wilting,” there are a few reasons you should look into to ensure healthy growth for your flowers. Most orchids have a life cycle of about three months, and some can live more than two weeks.

During the growth period of the orchid plant, they go into dormancy once the flowers reach the end of their life. The flowers wilt and fall naturally, and the plant remains dormant until the next flowering period.

Don’t disturb the plant in this case and take proper care. The orchids will soon bloom again.

Other than the end of the lifecycle, there are quite a few reasons these perennial flowers wilt.

1. Not Watering The Orchids Properly

Orchids are very peculiar about their watering needs. They will wilt if watered more or less than required. So, you need to know the precise specifications regarding watering needs for the type of orchids growing in your garden.

If you water the plant more than twice a week, you will probably be overwatering, and the flowers will wilt. Mushy or dark roots indicate that you are overwatering the orchids. Dry and stiff roots show that you are underwatering the plant.

Most first-time plant owners tend to overwater as they are being too careful. If the orchids grow in sphagnum moss, they will need water after one or two weeks; if you are using shredded bark, water the orchids once or twice a week.

Orchids need more water in the summer than in the rest of the seasons. To check if the pot’s soil needs more water, press a finger. If the soil is even slightly moist, don’t water and wait until the soil is dry before watering the orchids.

Most types of orchids have pseudobulbs that help them create a reserve of water so these flowers can survive a long time without water. Overwatering is a more common problem than underwatering.

Also, make sure not to water the plant with salty water. You must pay attention to the leaves; they turn yellow and burn when the water is too salted to bear.

Why Is My Orchid Wilting 2
The flower stems are dying and leaves wilted. Can I save her?” via Reddit

2. The Temperature Has Changed

Sudden temperature changes can come as a shock to the orchid plant. If you have recently shifted them from one place to another and they wilted soon after, a temperature change could be the reason.

After picking them up from a relatively colder one, make sure you haven’t potted them in a hot place. If you bought them from a shop, the temperature change from outside to your car and back-outside could be a shock to the orchids.

Don’t place them near a window where they are under the influence of cold, chilly winds after you have been growing them inside. Similarly, don’t change their position from a cold place to somewhere near a heating appliance.

The temperature requirements for different orchids may vary. Once you start growing them, make sure to maintain a stable temperature.

3. Humidity Has Changed

Humidity is different from watering plants. It is the overall amount of water droplets in the air while watering is done for the roots to absorb.

Changes in humidity can cause water to wilt. In summers, the atmosphere tends to be humid, while in winters, it is dry. Ensure to keep a mist to keep spraying the leaves, especially in winters. You can also place them near a humidifier if the atmosphere has less humidity. You can buy some of the best humidifiers online.

Some places in the house, like a bathroom, may undergo constant humidity change, so don’t keep the orchids in such areas. A kitchen or a living room with enough humidity is acceptable. Orchids need at least 40-70% humidity in the air.

If the leaves are streaky and dry, it is probably due to insufficient humidity. Planting orchids with other plants in groups keep the air humid for longer than keeping the orchids in an isolated place. Again, make sure to keep the temperature steady once you sow them.

Till now, you must be able to understand and learn much about your question- why is my orchid wilting? But, if not, we’ve got two more reasons for your query. So, keep reading.

4. Pests and Insects Have Attacked Your Plant

There is not much you can do when pests or insects attack your plant. You can invest in some good brands of pesticides insecticides or try home remedies to ward off this issue.   

You can easily identify if pests and insects cause the wilting. Look at the leaves, branches, roots, soil, and other parts to notice any white dots, black sticky stuff, or any other abnormality. These are all signs of pest and insect attack.

5. Not Changing the Potting Medium

Don’t keep the orchids in the same medium for too long, or they will wilt. Roots need air, light, and space to move around for proper growth. If the potting medium retains a lot of water, it can shun the growth.

Also, it doesn’t matter what the potting medium is, organic or not; it decomposes over time. If the decomposed matter is left to remain in the pot for too long, it can suffocate the roots, and the orchids will wilt.

So, keep changing the medium to prevent water retention or accumulation of decomposed matter.


Conclusion

Now that you have all the information at your disposal identify the cause of wilting before remedying it. The wilted flowers will come back. You can look for ways to help revive the plant too. Just the right amount of care, and you will have a blooming orchid soon enough.

Comment below to share your experiences, and let me know if I can help you with more queries.