Help! Strange yellow discoloration on leaves - Orchid Board

Orchidreamer · #1 10-24-2010, 10:20 PM

I just got two Laelia pumila's and for some reason, some of the leaves have yellowish discolorations. (Note: they were yellowish when I received them, and I don't know what the previous owner did.) Even one of the new growths has this strange yellowish tinge. The yellowing reminds me of a tie-dyed shirt, since I can see "patterns." The plants were originally planted in treefern, and I repotted them into S/H as I heard that catt-types enjoy semi-hydro.

Any idea what is wrong? Is the yellow discoloration due to a disease or a nutrient deficiency? Or something else?

Is it a serious problem?

Thanks!

tucker85 · #2 10-27-2010, 07:39 AM

I have had that happen with a couple of my orchids. It was usually with older leaves. So far it doesn't seem to have any affect on the rest of the plant. Plants with the yellow discoloration have grown normally and the new leaves are usually green. I had one entire plant turn yellow like that but now the three new leaves are great and healthy. I don't know what causes it. Good luck.

Queenslander · #3 11-02-2010, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zootrophion

I just got two Laelia pumila's and for some reason, some of the leaves have yellowish discolorations. (Note: they were yellowish when I received them, and I don't know what the previous owner did.) Even one of the new growths has this strange yellowish tinge. The yellowing reminds me of a tie-dyed shirt, since I can see "patterns." The plants were originally planted in treefern, and I repotted them into S/H as I heard that catt-types enjoy semi-hydro.

Any idea what is wrong? Is the yellow discoloration due to a disease or a nutrient deficiency? Or something else?

Is it a serious problem?

Thanks!

HI, just read your post. Is there any markings on the underside of the leaves in question?

trdyl · #4 11-03-2010, 12:28 AM

Could this possibly be chlorosis?

RJSquirrel · #5 11-03-2010, 04:10 AM

thats yellow/lime green is from being grown in the full sun..you aren't getting full sun now and the leaves are turning greener bec of the lack of sunlight.

Im a noob

Orchidreamer · #6 11-05-2010, 10:53 PM

thanks for the replies everyone...the leaves still look the same right now. Not getting worse, not getting better. I checked the undersides of the leaves and they look pretty much the same as the top sides.

Hmm chlorisis...I've heard that's due to nutrient deficiency. I'm fertilizing them regularly.

trdyl · #7 11-06-2010, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zootrophion

Hmm chlorisis...I've heard that's due to nutrient deficiency. I'm fertilizing them regularly.

What fertilizer are you using? A major cause of clorosis is a lack of magnesium.

CTB · #8 11-06-2010, 07:05 AM

I found this problem with a bag baby that I think had been laying on one side too long, getting all the light. The other leaves are real dark green. Watching to see if it will outgrow it.

pss · #9 11-22-2010, 07:40 AM

Wow the same thing happened to me. Slow and painful death. Very sad.

Alyons · #10 11-22-2010, 07:54 AM

I have a Phal. that has looked like this for months but is slowly turning back... All of the leaves on the one side looked like that. I've given it a little less light. It has been darkening up again but very slowly. I received it that way this year and it has shown no decline whatsoever in the months I've had it.

If it were chlorosis due to magnesium deficiency it would start with the old growths... And you mentioned the new growth being affected.