Lack of water or dehydration. The next step is to determine why the plant is not getting sufficient water. First, look to the roots. If the roots appear healthy, white or green and plump, and medium is in good shape, suspect underwatering, especially if the roots are white and the pot is very light. If, on the other hand, the roots are in poor condition, suspect root loss. If the plant has no roots, it cannot take up any water, no matter how much you give it.

Wrinkled leaves, wilty and leathery leaves usually occur on Phalaenopsis and Paphepedilum orchids due to two problems: lack of hydration (for one of two reasons) or heat stress. Lack of hydration is probably the most usual culprit. Either the Posted by Veronicastrum z5 IL (My Page) on Wed, Jun 18, 03 at 10:20 Okay all of you dedicated gardens, what things - plant, animal, other - give you the creeps in your garden? In another thread I posted about Rudbeckia hirta. See similar questions...

The answer to this question depends upon which leaves are involved. Yellowing of old leaves on backbulbs is a normal part of the aging process. Therefore, this should not be of concern. However, yellowing of newer leaves is a sign of trouble. Orchids with yellow leaves are an indication that the plant is suffering from either too much light or insufficient feeding. Increase the shading and apply orchid nutrients as directed. See similar questions...

Wrinkled or pleated leaves are caused by a lack of moisture reaching the vegetative part of the plant. This can be caused by not watering enough, or watering too much. If you can't figure out what you've done, tip the plant out of the pot and examine the roots. If they are white or tan, firm, and spread throughout the mix, you need to increase the frequency of watering. If the roots appear brown and mushy, trim them off, repot into a new mix, and decrease the frequency of watering. See similar questions...

The old leaves naturally turn yellow and fall off as new leaves are produced. If your new leaves start to turn yellow, the first thing to check is the amount of light your orchid is receiving (review the culture sheet for the genus/species of your orchid). If light is not a problem, then check to see if you orchid is being subjected to low temperatures. There are also orchids that will lose all of their leaves naturally like the Dendrobium nobile hybrids do and will appear to be a "dead stick. See similar questions...

Black spots are endemic in a number of varieties of orchids, most notably those in the Oncidium or Oncidium family intergenerics. These spots are not a sign of disease. They cannot be removed, and will not spread from plant to plant. You can think of them as freckles. These spots are generally small and dry. If, however, your plant suddenly develops large black spots, particularly if they are moist, this could be a sign of disease. See similar questions...

There are some deciduous orchids but generally orchids should not lose a lot of leaves at once. Some leaf loss of old foliage in natural, especially in autumn but excessive leaf loss will usually indicate that the plant has been kept too wet. Orchids do not like to be kept too wet, should not be allowed to stand in water and should therefore always be watered from the top and left to drain. See similar questions...

The flowers naturally produce a sugary nectar that encourages insects to pollinate the flowers in the wild. Some types make a lot of this, which then can drip onto the leaves. Simply wipe in off with a damp cloth so and not to encourage mildew which can grow on it. This nectar can also encourage aphids to the flowers, which will breed quickly and spread amongst your plants. Wash these off too with slightly soapy water. See similar questions...

Many people make the mistake of assuming that since orchids are native to tropical rainforests, they must be watered several times a week. Unfortunately, watering this frequently will kill the roots of any orchid in short order. The general rule of thumb for orchids grown in the home is to water every 5 to 12 days, depending on the type of orchid, the temperature the plant is grown in, and the time of year. See similar questions...

Orchids are plants of the family Orchidaceae, which may contain more species than any other plant family (the verdict is still out on this -- at present, the sunflower family still has a higher count of described species, but the orchids are nipping at their heels). Botanists believe the final tally of orchid species will eventually land somewhere between 25,000 to 30,000 species. See similar questions...

The answer to that question depends on whether you are looking for something to grow indoors or outdoors. Phalaenopsis are among the easiest and most rewarding orchids to grow. An American Orchid Society demographic survey showed that Phalaenopsis have become America~s favorite orchid. The plants adapt well to the environment of the home or office. From the time that the first flower bud opens, the sprays will remain in bloom for the next 2 tp 3 months. See similar questions...

The answer to this question depends upon the type of orchid in bloom. Flowers on Cattleyas may last up to a month in bloom from the time that the bud opens. Whereas, Phalaenopsis and Cymbidium sprays will remain in bloom for 2 to 3 months longer. See similar questions...

No. It's normal for orchids such as Dendrobiums, Oncidiums and Cattleyas to produce honey on the flower stem. Mother nature built in the sap producing process to help the orchid attract insects for pollination. Orchids rely on insects to pollinate the flowers for the continuation of the species. See similar questions...

Correct watering depends on many factors. For advice, call our Master Gardeners at 626-5161 or check out the Master Gardener Manual chapter on irrigation at the following website: http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/arboriculture/watering.html. For example, in general shrubs need to be watered every 5 to 14 days in the summer. See similar questions...