The orchid will naturally seal the point where the leaf falls off, preventing an entry point for an infection. If you cut the yellow leaf before the orchid seals, it could allow pathogens a path into the orchid. Sunburn, heat or cold damage, and active infections are irreversible.
I don’t cut off the leaves since that is a way for bacteria and fungus to enter the orchid. A wide-open cut is an invitation for microbes to party, even if you apply cinnamon and all the “works”. If your orchid is weak or recovering from a hardship, then it might be advisable to cut off the leaf.
While reading we ran into the question “Should I cut off dead orchid leaves?”.
You should only remove whole leaves only when the entire leaf has been affected. It should be withered or yellow and has weakened to the point that you can remove it simply by tagging on it with your fingers. In general, when working with orchids, you should cut off dead, dying or unproductive parts of the plants.
How do you get rid of yellow roots on orchids?
Fixing Yellow Roots Caused By Root Rot Take the orchid out of its potting medium and change mixes urgently. Cut the dead roots off, and spray the orchid with hydrogen peroxide to kill some of the bacteria buildup from the root rot. Make sure your orchid has proper air circulation inside the potting medium, and not just on the leaves.
How do you save an orchid plant?
Spray with Hydrogen peroxide 3%.. Let air-dry for a moment and repot in fresh media. Water the orchid and put aside.
Orchids seal leaves off as they shed them, preventing infections and a pathway for pathogens to enter the plant. If you cut into the live tissue near the base of a yellow leaf, you’re introducing an attack vector for infectious microorganisms.
Ways on How to Revive an Orchid. Keep It Hydrated. One basic and most important step on how to revive an orchid is to water it. Transferring your orchid to a larger pot with additional new and fresh soil and fertilizer is also one solution concerning how to revive an orchid. Some extra items to take a look at are: move to partly sunlight, add some fertilizer, or cut off damaged parts.