Symptom	Probable Cause	Remedy
Leaves turn yellow	To much sunlight or water, Natural if only old leaves are involved	Give plant more shade; withhold water for a few weeks.
Leaves turn yellow and drop	Natural with much deciduous type. In evergreen orchids, a sign of collapse.	Withhold water and move plant to a cool place to encourage bud formation. Look for disease control.
Leaves are limp, growth at base of plant is soft.	Too much sun; spots that increase in size may indicated disease.	Give plant more shade; look for disease control.
No sign of new growth.	Time is not right, in plant’s growth cycle, for new growth.	Keeping potting mixture evenly moist; do not force plant with extra feeding or watering.
Plant refuses to flower.	Proper growth cycle and day-length are not being observed. Too little light.	Determine times of year for plant’s natural growth and rest periods; keep plant in darkness at night. Gradually move plant to a brighter place.
Buds drop.	Temperatures fluctuate too greatly. Ethylene pollution from smog or fruit.	Move plant to location with more even temperatures. Check pilot light and environment.
Leaves have white or brown spots	Water is too hard or high in iron content	Leach out minerals with deionizer water; use bottled water or rainwater for routine irrigation.
Leaf tips blackened	Too much fertilizer. Intense direct sun. Water has high salt content.	Cut back on fertilizer. Move plant into area with indirect light. Leach out salt with deionizer water; use bottled water or rainwater.
Pseudo bulbs and leaves shrivel, Growth slows, and roots are rotted.	Over watering. Poor potting mix.	Reduce Water. Repot if potting mix has decomposed
Pseudo bulbs and leaves shrivel, Growth slows, But roots are fine.	Under watering or lack of humidity. Natural condition with many orchids.	Water thoroughly several times; increase humidity and water frequency.

Orchid Plant Problems and Remedies