Your orchid looks sad? No need to panic! You can save it with a simple kitchen helper: Cinnamon! Yes, you read that right – the popular spice works wonders for ailing orchids. It protects against fungi, disinfects roots and promotes healing. How to protect your Save orchids with cinnamon with an ingeniously simple tip that really works!
There are basically two types of rot in orchids: Heart rot and stem rot. Here you can find out how to recognize these diseases in orchids and in which cases there is still hope of saving the plants.
Orchid rot: heart rot
Heart rot in orchids is often caused by stagnant water between the leaves. From there, the water reaches the inside (the “heart”) of the plant, where fungi and bacteria multiply within a very short time. The orchid rots and in most cases can no longer be saved. Heart rot is often only recognized when it is already too late.
At first, apparently healthy leaves fall off all at once and other leaves detach from the plant at the slightest touch. The areas affected by heart rot first turn yellow, later they turn black or mushy.
Orchid rot: stem rot
Stem rot is also manifested by dark, rotten spots and falling leaves. With this disease, however, the leaves of the orchid do not rot from the inside outwards, but from the outer leaf tip inwards.
Stem rot, also known as root rot, can also be recognized by limp leaves. This is because the rotting root can no longer supply the leaves with sufficient nutrients. Rotting roots are predominantly dark brown to black, hollow and very soft. If the stem rot is very advanced, this also leads to the death of the plant.
Trick with cinnamon should save the orchid
Cinnamon has an antibacterial, antimicrobial and disinfectant effect and can therefore save rotting orchids – at least if you react early enough.
For heart rot:
If only very few parts of your orchid are affected by heart rot, you should do the following: First remove all rotting parts of the plant generously. Then disinfect the cut areas with cinnamon powder. Then place the orchid in fresh, dry substrate.
For stem rot:
Stem rot that is not yet too far advanced can usually be treated quite successfully with cinnamon. Proceed as follows:
- Take the plant out of the pot and remove the rotten roots and the old substrate. Sprinkle a little cinnamon over the cut areas.
- Then place the plant on a glass filled with water so that only the lower tip of the stem and the healthy root remnants are moistened.
- Now place the glass in a warm, bright place, out of direct sunlight.
- The roots can now grow back – this can take a few months.
Tip: If the roots are not yet affected by stem rot, you can simply sprinkle the rotting areas with cinnamon powder and place the orchid in fresh, dry substrate.
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To prevent your orchids from rotting, you should avoid waterlogging at all costs. In addition, too frequent watering, too high humidity and too little fresh air can lead to rotting in sensitive houseplants.
It is generally advisable to remove orchids from the pot once a week and immerse them in stale tap water for approx. 30 minutes. Then allow the orchid to drain well before putting it back in the pot.
Source: ruhr24
Preview image: ©Pinterest/orchiddynasty.com
