Yellow, Brown & Dry Leaves on Orchids

Sunlight

• The amount of sunlight an orchid receives is crucial to its health. Too little light, and the orchid becomes weak and produces smaller, stunted, light green leaves. Too much direct light, however, and the orchid's leaves become scorched and yellow or brown, dried out and unable to photosynthesize. This often spells certain doom for blossoms. Keep an orchid where it receives bright, indirect sunlight to prevent scorching the leaves and weakening the growth of the orchid.

Bar Mottle

• Bar mottle is a viral disease that affects orchids. It gets its name from the yellow streaks or splotches it causes to appear in the leaves of the orchid. Viral diseases are not treatable with chemicals. Environmental changes help slow the spread of the disease; replacing the soil and planter of the orchid can extend its lifespan. Remove and destroy severely damaged orchids to prevent them from spreading the disease to other orchids in the area.

Fertilizer

• Yellow or brown, dried-out leaves on an orchid are sometimes an indicator of an orchid that is not receiving an adequate amount of fertilizer. Orchids require more frequent feeding than other garden plants, although the amount depends on the type and size of the orchid and its current growth stage. Follow all the manufacturer's directions on the orchid fertilizer to keep the leaves of the orchid healthy and green throughout its growing season.

Pest Problems

• Mealybugs, aphids and scale insects are all pests of orchids. These pests feed on the sap of the orchid's leaves, rather than taking bites out of the leaves themselves. When aphids, mealybuds and scale insects eat, the damage they do takes longer to become noticeable. Yellow or brown leaves that dry out, especially at the edges, indicate of a pest problem. Check the undersides of leaves for pests and apply a mild pesticide according to the directions.