Why does the orchid crack leaves in half: what causes a break in the middle, and what should be done to help the plant?

The beauty and grace of a blooming orchid captivates everyone without exception. Unusual shapes, colors delight even the most fastidious gardeners.

However, with a general good situation: regular long flowering, green succulent leaves, a strong root system, cracking of leaf plates in the middle occurs. Such a phenomenon significantly spoils the appearance of the plant, and also makes you wonder why this happens and what are the consequences. Consider the causes of cracks on the leaves of a favorite flower. It will also be interesting to watch a video on this topic.

Determination of cracking foliage

Orchid leaves are strong, leathery, resilient. But the sudden appearance of cracks occurs as a result of mechanical damage or a violation of biochemical processes. It is important to remember that external defects - reflect the internal ailments of the flower. Outwardly ugly phenomenon has the following form: a break passes along the central vein of the leaf. Moreover, the crack can begin both from the stem and from the tip.

ATTENTION: Basically the lower leaves of the orchid burst. At the same time, the leaf exists fully, it does not turn yellow, does not dry out and does not decay, but it spoils the overall picture. I would like to understand the reasons and eliminate the adverse factors.

Why does this happen?

This kind of deformation is stress for the plant, because the integrity of the tissues is violated, and, consequently, the exchange of nutrients. Also, the flower loses its healthy appearance, which directly disturbs the grower.

Consider why there are cracks in the middle of the sheet, dividing the leaf in half. Main reasons:

waterlogging;
excessive use of mineral fertilizers;
wrong location;
insufficient watering;
adverse air parameters (temperature, humidity);
mechanical damage;
a small number of roots;
root system diseases.

Watch the video about the causes of cracks on the leaves of the orchid:

What to do depending on the reason?

A sturdy sheet plate bursts - the action is quite unusual. Any florist can face a similar problem. Of course, if natural processes, then everything is clear. As a result of aging, parts of the plant periodically dry out, fall away (what should I do if all the leaves have fallen off from the orchid?). But young, healthy leaves, this is something wrong. Having dealt with the causes of this phenomenon, it is worth looking for ways out of a difficult situation.

Root overheating

Orchids come from the tropics, no wonder they love warmly. However, everything is good in moderation. Do not leave the plant in direct sunlight, near a heating radiator in the winter, or under a stream of hot air from the air conditioner.

Action taken:

remove the orchid from a warm place;
allow to cool for 2-3 hours;
after a little water and spray the leaves;
the plant can restore water balance up to 5 days.

Mechanical damage

Sudden relocation, inaccurate transportation, damage when watering or transplanting orchids. The flower grower may not even immediately pay attention to injuring the flower. Subsequently, a crack appears in the middle, a scratch, which is usually tightened by a mechanical cloth.

These damages are not subject to treatment. However if the sheet is cracked and split into two halves, then it should be treated with an antiseptic solution, to impede the process of decay.

Not enough roots

Often in the process of transplantation or after a disease, the plant loses a lot of roots. As a result, the flower is not able to feed its large leaves in sufficient quantities with nutrients. Therefore, the leaf plates of orchids burst, the way out of the situation is to cut off part of the green mass.

Action taken:

disinfect trimming tools;
cut off damaged leaves, if necessary, healthy;
treats places of cuts with powdered activated carbon or ground cinnamon;
it is better to quarantine the flower pot;
at first do not feed;
provide watering 1 time in 7-10 days.

Over time, the root system of the orchid will grow, and healthy shoots will also grow (we talked about how to grow orchid roots using "Kornevin" and other means here). However, this measure must be applied only if all of the above reasons are excluded.

Large temperature difference

Quite often, sheets crack as a result of cold air. For example, when transporting a plant from the store home, when the leaves come into contact with glass or air infiltration, when the window is frost -16 ° C. A temperature difference of more than 5 ° C is fatal for an exotic beauty.

Hypothermia also provokes the discharge of flowers and buds.. But do not despair, because such a phenomenon is short-lived.

Affected leaves, buds are not subject to treatment. They should definitely be eliminated. The plant does not need a transplant. It is only worth moving to a warmer place and do not forget about regular hydration.

Watering cooling

This happens especially in winter, when after carrying out water procedures the flower is taken out in the cold. They place it on a cold window sill, take it out onto the balcony, open the windows for airing.

A plant can be saved if certain rules are followed:

with the onset of the winter season, it is important to check the temperature near the window;
if it is below + 18 ° C, orchids should be replaced;
exclude getting drafts on the plant;
after watering, wipe the leaves dry.

IMPORTANT: Hypothermia is extremely dangerous for orchids. Indeed, in this case, the vessels that pass through the middle of the leaf, as well as to the root system, are destroyed, which provokes the development of the disease, it is rot.

Excess nitrogen

Frequent use of mineral fertilizers does more harm than good. When overfeeding a plant with nitrogen, in addition to cracked leaves, there are many symptoms confirming a glut.

The process is reflected in this way: the leaves change color, become thick, dense, long. Traces of deformation are also visible, wavy edges are formed. Foliage is actively developing, new sprouts appear one after another, but at the same time the exotic stops flowering. Slows or stops the growth of peduncles.

Action taken:

stop applying nitrogen fertilizers;
we get the plant out of the pot;
soak the roots in warm, clean water;
transplant into new soil and place on a well-lit place;
completely eliminate the first 2-3 months of fertilizer;
later, a course of treatment with potash fertilizers should be carried out, 1 time per month for six months.

Low humidity and high temperature

The combination of such parameters adversely affects the general condition of the flower. Located on the windowsill, under the penetrating sunlight, the plant is very hot, and a considerable amount of moisture evaporates from its green mass. Wherein exot does not have time to be saturated with water, from here cracks in the middle of leaves turn out. An effective measure is regular spraying, and in addition, moving the pot to a cooler place.

Prevention

During the adaptation period, orchids are best removed from the windowsills, but provide intense artificial light. In the room, try to maintain optimal temperature and humidity parameters of the air. For watering and spraying use exclusively clean, filtered water at room temperature. Moisten on demand - after the substrate has completely dried.

TIP: Do not aggravate the situation with the addition of mineral preparations. Carefully inspect a diseased plant for the development of infectious diseases.

Further care

For full development and beautiful flowering, orchids need competent care:

Maintaining a comfortable temperature in summer: + 22-25ºС, in winter + 16-18ºС.
Lighting is required diffused, with a daylight duration of 14 hours.
Humidity within 50-60%. Be sure to regularly ventilate the room.
Fertilize orchids 2 times a month, especially during the flowering period with mineral preparations based on potassium and phosphorus.
It is better to spray the flower up to 5 times a day.

Conclusion

Indoor plants, like people, need love, care. However, an overabundance of attention also entails negative consequences. With orchids you need to be careful and more and more norms should not be done. Try to adhere to the above rules, and the plant will delight for more than one year.