Your orchid was thriving, but now it may need some support. “Why are my orchid leaves turning yellow?” you ask. Great question! The first step in Phalaenopsis orchid plant care is paying attention to the roots, leaves, and soil of your plant, which reveal a great deal about its health. Here are several possible explanations for your orchid’s yellowing leaves and what to do about it.  

Orchid Leaves Turning Yellow? Check the Light 

An orchid with yellowing leaves may have been exposed to direct sunlight. You may see a white patch with dark brown spots surrounded by yellow. 

Orchid Plant Care Tip: Although this tropical plant loves light, it prefers indirect sunlight. If you want to display your Phalaenopsis orchid on a windowsill, north and east-facing windows are best as they provide the least direct sun exposure. 

And if you don’t have windows facing in either of those directions, don’t worry. Orchids also do well in artificial light.  

Temperature Can Cause Yellow Spots 

Temperatures that are too low can also cause orchid leaves to turn yellow.  You never want to keep your orchid in a room under 60 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Orchid Plant Care Tip: Keep the thermostat set between 65 and 80 and your orchid will thrive. Avoid placing your orchid near open windows, fans and air conditioning vents as this will dry out your orchid. Remember, orchids are tropical plants, so they prefer humidity too, such as bathrooms and kitchens. 

Overwatering Can Lead to Yellowing Leaves 

Overwatering your orchid can lead to root rot, which could cause its leaves to turn yellow.

Orchid Plant Care Tip: If your orchid is suffering from root rot, repotting your plant in a fresh new potting medium will set it on the path to recovery. If your orchid still has some healthy green roots, trim the rotted roots with sterile scissors before repotting.   

Diseases Cause Leaves to Turn Yellow 

This is one of the more common causes of orchid leaves turning yellow. There are two types of diseases to watch for.   

If your orchid has a spotty appearance but smells fine, it’s likely a fungal infection. Typically, fungal diseases start out as yellow areas on the undersides of leaves. As these spots develop, they become visible on both sides of the leaf and turn brown or black. 

If you notice a foul smell, there’s a good chance your orchid has a bacterial infection. 

Orchid Plant Care Tip: In both cases, move your orchid away from other plants. Then, remove the infected area with a sterilized pair of scissors and spray the plant with a fungicide. 

Orchids are beloved by many for their captivating beauty and varied species. Among the fascinating aspects of these plants is the orchid keiki, a baby orchid that forms on the flower spike of a mature orchid. This guide will explore what does a keiki look like, keiki orchid care, and the process of how to remove a keiki from an orchid stem. Whether you’re just starting your orchid journey or have been growing them for years, learning how to plant a keiki orchid can expand your collection with ease.

What Does a Keiki Look Like?
An orchid keiki is a little plantlet that emerges from the nodes of a mature orchid. It’s a natural propagation method, ensuring the genetic traits of the parent are passed down. Typically, keikis develop roots and leaves on the orchid, growing leaves on the stem, becoming independent when they’re mature enough. Keikis are often triggered by stress factors like changes in light or humidity, acting as a survival mechanism for the plant.

While many orchid species can produce keikis, Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, and Cattleya orchids are particularly prone to this form of reproduction. Understanding what does a keiki look like can help you identify these charming offshoots and start your journey into keiki orchid care.

Keiki Orchid Care Basics
Caring for your keiki orchidee is a rewarding experience. These young orchids thrive in warm, humid environments, ideally between 70°F and 80°F during the day, with slightly cooler nights. Bright, indirect light is key to avoiding damage to their delicate leaves. Proper watering and fertilization are crucial, keeping the potting medium slightly moist and using a balanced orchid fertilizer diluted to half strength every two to four weeks.

Identifying healthy keikis involves looking for vibrant green leaves and a firm appearance, while yellowing leaves and stunted growth indicate issues. Adjust your care routine accordingly to ensure your keiki orchids flourish.

How to Remove Keiki from Orchid Stem and Repot

To expand your orchid collection, learning how to remove keiki from orchid stem and repotting it is essential. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Wait until the keiki has a few small leaves and roots that are two to three inches long. This ensures it’s ready for transplanting.

Step 2: Use sterile cutting tools to cut the cane about two inches above and below the keiki, ensuring you do not damage the roots. Applying cinnamon or fungicide can prevent fungal infections.

Step 3: Let the keiki dry for a few hours before potting to prevent rot. Plant it in a four-inch pot using sphagnum moss, bark, or a commercial orchid potting mix. If using sphagnum moss, make sure it is damp before potting, tightly packing it around the keiki to provide support.

Potting a Keiki
Plant the keiki in a four-inch pot, and use sphagnum moss, bark, peat moss, cork, or a commercial orchid potting mix as potting medium. If you choose to use sphagnum moss, make sure that it is damp before you start potting. Fill the bottom of the pot with some moss, and then, make a ball of moss that is a little bigger than the pot and wrap it around the keiki. The moss should be tightly packed into the pot to provide good support for the keiki. As the plant matures, you may consider switching to bark as your potting medium.

Position your newly potted keiki in a spot with indirect sunlight, gradually increasing the light exposure as it shows signs of growth.

Helping Your Keiki Grow Happily
As soon as you see signs of growth, you can start increasing the amount of light every few days. After your keiki is well-established and growing well, it can take the same amount of light as the mother plant.

Also, you should only add fertilizer after the leaves show signs of growth. It usually takes about two years for a keiki to become a mature flowering plant.

With proper keiki orchid care, your keiki will grow into a mature flowering plant in about two years, ready to enhance your orchid collection.