Jewel Orchid Leaves Turning Red: Common Reasons and Fixes

Jewel orchid leaves turning red is a common sight with our flowering beauties, but an avoidable one. If you wonder why this happens, the answers are many. Knowing for sure takes some patience and careful observation.

Nevertheless, we’re here to help you find out and treat those red smears on your orchid leaves.

Why Are Leaves on Jewel Orchids Turning Red?

Leaves on jewel orchids are turning red because of sunburn, or not watering in a proper way. It can also have some fertilization issues, and the temperature surrounding it may change its color, and lastly, it can also be due to pests and diseases.

Their beauty and intricate petals can make anyone swoon, but orchids can also be a bit high maintenance at times. If you’re an orchid aficionado, you’ve probably encountered the heart-stopping moment when your beloved Jewel orchid suddenly starts flashing red. And it’s a common problem with more than a few orchid varieties.

So, is your Jewel orchid looking a little worse for wear with its red leaves, and what should you do? But before you throw in the towel on your precious plant, it’s crucial to identify the root of the problem — as you may just be able to save the green friend.

– Sunburn

Jewel orchids are like the divas of the plant world and demand a little extra attention and care. In addition to this, you would realize how just like the way divas prefer the shade of the spotlight, these gorgeous plants also prefer a bit of shade when it comes to sunlight exposure.

You must know that the jewel orchid going red is an indication that they’re getting too much sun for their delicate taste. The situation is their version of a sunburn — not a great look and not healthy for the plant.

It’s time to be a plant detective and investigate the cause. Try moving your Jewel orchid to a more shaded area where it can get indirect sunlight instead. If you don’t have a shady spot available, you can also use a sheer curtain or blinds to filter the sunlight. Think of it like giving your plant a fashionable sun hat to protect it from harmful rays.

– Not Watering Properly

For Jewel orchids, your watering regime can make or break their health and beauty. These stunning flowers require regular watering, but they can be a bit picky about how much they receive. It’s like they have a sixth sense for when they’re not getting the right amount – and that’s when they start flashing their red leaves as a warning sign.

If you’re noticing this red cue on your orchid, it could be a sign that they’re either getting too much water or not enough. It’s a delicate balance that requires a bit of patience and attention. Over-watering can lead to root rot — a disease that can cost you your plant’s life, but on the contrary, when it is watered less, then this can cause the plant to dry out and wither away, which is equally heartbreaking, and they would fade in their color.

– Fertilization Issue

Jewel orchids need their share of nutrients to reach their full potential. But before you start dumping fertilizer like there’s no tomorrow, you should know that these tender flowers are known for their food sensitivity. Giving them too much can lead to a range of issues, including red leaves.

If you’re noticing that your Jewel orchid’s leaves are turning red, it could be a sign of too much fertilization. It’s like an overdose, so notice how too much of anything can quickly turn into a nightmare. Too much fertilizer can cause salt buildup in the soil, leading to root damage, suffocation, and nutrient imbalances and for this, it is not a pretty sight nor healthy for the plant.

– Temperature May Change the Color

The temperature game can be tricky when it comes to orchid plant care. Jewel orchids have specific temperature preferences that need to be taken into account. These flowering beauties prefer warm temperature ranges, from the high 60 to 90 degrees on the Fahrenheit scale, and you would see how they can still handle extremes.

If you’re noticing red leaves on your orchid, it could be a sign of exposure to temperatures outside their comfort zone. Too hot and the leaves will dry out and turn red. If it’s too cold, they will become discolored and wilted.

– Pests and Diseases

Pests are the bane of every plant’s existence. Jewel orchids are no exception, being susceptible to a range of pests, including spider mites, thrips, and mealybugs. Red leaves on your Jewel orchid may as well be a sign that they’re dealing with an insect infestation.

These bugs suck the sap out of the leaves, causing them to turn red and eventually fall off. They can also weaken the plant, making it more vulnerable to other issues and fungal diseases.

Pests will leave powdery mildew as their trace disease, often forming on their secretions. Out of this problem, many others can arise, including petal blights and leaf-spot disease. Look for tiny webs, discolored spots, and any visible bugs. If you see any of these, it’s time to take action.

How To Avoid Jewel Orchid Foliage to Turn Red?

To avoid jewel orchid foliage to turn red, you must adjust the environment of the plant, and also adjust the way that you water it. You should also fertilize the plant properly and keep the humidity well preserved, and lastly, make sure to tackle the pests.

Make sure to regularly inspect your plants for signs of ludisia discoloration and try to spot your problem before it becomes too hard to manage. With a little vigilance and care, your Jewel orchid can stay problem-free and thrive for years to come.

– Adjust Environment

Your potting medium and your orchid’s environment will make every difference in the world! Change your potting medium frequently to keep your orchid’s pH levels in check. Pure sphagnum moss should be changed every year, and if you’re using orchid bark, change it twice a year

Low pH levels can affect your orchid’s ability to absorb minerals and nutrients, reducing its chance of survival; having this mind would be more significant with the approach you take. If the potting mix pH is too low, you can fertilize as much as you can, and the plant won’t be able to soak any of the nutrients.

If your potting medium is compacted, water might take longer to enter and exit the pot, which can lead to problems with drainage. Orchid bark degrades quickly, and even hardwood bark needs to be changed regularly to ensure proper water flow and drainage. Neglecting your potting medium can cause subtle signs of poor health, such as reddish, sickly-looking leaves, and you should also make sure to follow the proper jewel orchid care guide.

– Adjust Watering

Sure, the potting medium will play a major part in how much you should water, but this also means that you need to manage your watering regime properly. This doesn’t mean establishing a watering regime for the plant, as sometimes it can take two days for the plant to be thirsty, and sometimes it can take a few weeks. This will largely depend on the season you’re in, and the environment, and this would be the case especially if you grow it in a room setting.

Best to go by the feel. And not by how it comes to you, but rather by how the soil looks and feels. If the top few inches of the soil are dry, then it’s most desirable to go ahead and soak your orchids. Orchids will react amazingly from staying submerged in water for around 10 minutes and then drained properly before being placed back in their spot.

– Fertilize Properly

As we said, orchids need food to keep growing and to fight those redness causes. Gardening companies have gone a long way at producing orchid-specific fertilizers, so we don’t have to bump heads about how much we should give them. Be specific on the choice of fertilizer, because these plants are ones that have a special one, and if you place another type, it would lead you to a chaos.

These plants love to be watered by sitting in water for a few minutes, so you can mix in some liquid fertilizer in their tub when it’s time to feed them. As for how much you should give, and it is the best if you do not to give too much. Even if the label on the fertilizer says twice a month, only once should be enough to keep your orchids at an optimum.

– Keep Proper Humidity

Orchids aren’t aquatic plants, but they love a higher humidity around them to pull water in when needed. Regardless, you shouldn’t allow the roots to be soaking wet at all times. To avoid such a hazard you must keep the air moist and roots breathing.

Humidifier is a great option to pump those water droplets in the air, but you can always do with far cheaper options! Water trays can be filled with pebbles and water, and you can sit your plants on them to allow the water to evaporate all over the plant without touching the roots at all times. During the dry winter months, place jars of water near your heating elements, and get that extra water in the air!

– Tackle the Pests Infestations

When it comes to pest infections, you should act fast, and for this, you can go ahead and prune out any infected parts of the tree, but work on your prevention game as well. There are some natural pest control methods you can try out.

For instance, you can make your own neem oil solution sprays by mixing a few teaspoons of this oil or you can also use any other horticultural oils. You can use rubbing alcohol to wipe any mildew or residue after the infestation has passed. Beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings can be a great addition to your orchid plant, so don’t kill them if they wander into your home.

Conclusion

Jewel orchid plants are tender beauties and will often go red on us if we don’t give them the love they need most often; the redness will be caused by how we treat them, but just to go over everything once again:

• Orchids will become discolored for several reasons. Most often, these will be connected directly to the environment in which we keep our jewel orchids!
• The culprits causing these common orchid problems include sunburns, fertilization issues, and water problems.
• Watering, fertilization, and temperature all play a big part, but we can jump ahead of these issues by providing good quality soil, changing it often, and bettering our watering game.
• Sometimes pests and diseases can creep up on us, and reaction time will play a major role in how well we are able to prevent further ludisia discoloration and worse conditions.

Following all the steps we mentioned above should result in one happy and green jewel orchid plant, and you will have healthy growth again if you’re successful enough with your care.