Orchids have captivated gardeners for centuries with their exotic beauty and unique growing needs. Known for their delicate blooms and variety of species, orchids have symbolized love, beauty, and strength across different cultures. This article addresses the common problem of wrinkled leaves, focusing on key issues like watering, humidity, and root health to help you keep your orchids thriving indoors. First published on November 12, 2018, this text by Larry Hodgson remains one of the most sought-after resources for orchid enthusiasts, ranking sixth among the most popular gardening articles on this blog.
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Question
I have an orchid whose leaves are limp and wrinkled. What should I do?
Answer
Note that in the following answer, I’m presuming your orchid is a phalaenopsis (Phalaenopsis cv), by far the most commonly sold orchid. However, the information also applies to many of the other orchids grown as houseplants.
Usually, the presence of soft, droopy leaves wrinkled lengthwise indicates that not enough water is reaching the leaves and there are two main reasons for that: chronic underwatering or overwatering.
Underwatering
If the plant is regularly being underwatered (very common with the unreliable ice cube watering method), the roots will appear pale green or white yet shriveled. If so, you can plump up your phalaenopsis fairly quickly by watering it more effectively. Ideally, that would be by soaking the pot in tepid water—yes, even right up to the pot’s rim!—for 10, 15, 20 minutes, even half an hour, then letting the excess water drain off before putting the plant back in its place. Then, when the substrate is dry to the touch, soak the roots again.
Depending on your growing conditions, you’ll probably find your phalaenopsis needs watering about once a week to 10 days.
Humidity plays a crucial role in keeping orchids healthy, particularly for Phalaenopsis, which thrive in tropical climates. Ideally, orchids prefer humidity levels between 50% and 70%, much higher than what is typically found in most homes. Insufficient humidity can cause the leaves to become limp and wrinkled, even if the watering routine is appropriate. To increase humidity, consider using a humidifier, but avoid excessive misting, as stagnant water on the leaves can lead to fungal issues. Ensuring proper humidity helps the orchid absorb moisture through its aerial roots and maintain plump, turgid leaves, reducing the risk of dehydration.
Overwatering
If the plant has received too much water for too long, the roots or at least a good part of them will be brown or yellow and either rotting or rotten. This is a much more serious problem and it isn’t always possible to recuperate an orchid with dying roots, but you can certainly try.
Unpot the plant, cut off the dead roots (disinfecting the pruning shears in rubbing alcohol after each cut) and repot into a clean pot with fresh orchid mix. Give the plant a few days to recuperate from the shock, then take up regular watering. With a little luck, new roots will grow and most of the old leaves will become turgid again, although you may lose a few (just pull or cut them off).
In the future, be careful to only water when the mix is dry to the touch. However, when you do water, always do so abundantly. Again, soaking the roots in tepid water, then letting the surplus water drain away, is the best way to water any phalaenopsis … and, in fact, pretty much any orchid.