---
title: "Does anyone know why this leaf is yellowing down the middle? It’s not…"
description: "Does anyone know why this leaf is yellowing down the middle? It’s not the bottom leaf, the plant gets weak fertiliser once a week and dries out between each…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ/j87AAa9qT2GEuWmcFwaZKA"
community: "The Orchid Oasis"
author: "Matilda"
published: "2024-07-12T13:38:46.301388Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/THCFwj0HrAQ1QM18ZLNGCRoCaKinbEiVKsGr363UwOg/LTpQ2TAhTCiJ5dB6kKXeHQ.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [The Orchid Oasis](https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ.md)

# Does anyone know why this leaf is yellowing down the middle? It’s not…

_Posted by Matilda on 2024-07-12_

Does anyone know why this leaf is yellowing down the middle? It’s not the bottom leaf, the plant gets weak fertiliser once a week and dries out between each watering. It’s on its second bloom cycle this year- the only thing I can think of is it may need new medium?

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/THCFwj0HrAQ1QM18ZLNGCRoCaKinbEiVKsGr363UwOg/LTpQ2TAhTCiJ5dB6kKXeHQ.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/THCFwj0HrAQ1QM18ZLNGCRoCaKinbEiVKsGr363UwOg/3J4G8wEbQPyRqwY6pTlRPA.webp?size=large)

## 8 comments

### Greg commented on 2024-07-12

Weird! I would remove all the medium and take a look at the roots. If they look healthy it may be getting too much fertilizer.

#### Jen replied on 2024-07-12

Is there another discolored leaf on the opposite side? The little one on the bottom? Any discoloration on the stem of the plant?

Has it been in a new spot recently? Maybe too much direct sunlight?

When was the last time you repotted?

If it’s had 2 bloomings this year, it may just be consuming all the plant’s energy with the flowers and needs to direct more of its energy to vegetative growth. I’d cut the flower spike to the base when your flowers drop. It’ll give your orchid some time to grow a new leaf (or two.)

#### Matilda replied on 2024-07-12

The only discolouration on the bottom leaf is slight reddening where it’s got a little too much light recently - but it’s been on the same windowsill for a full year and this is the first issue it’s had. It does need a repot I think because it’s been maybe 18 months since the last one?

#### Jen replied on 2024-07-12

With a decent quality media, and no rotting problems in the pot, or pests, you really shouldn’t have to repot for another year, year and a half.

### send\_nodes commented on 2024-07-12

Yellowing leaves is usually a sign of overwatering. Orchids are pretty drought-resistant, so when in doubt, just wait longer before watering.

### Greg commented on 2024-07-12

The roots should tell you what you need to know. They may be staying too moist for too long without enough aeration –causing either a rot/fungal situation or an overwatering one like send\_nodes mentioned.

#### Matilda replied on 2024-07-12

I’m beginning to think there might be too many roots in there keeping things too tightly packed and keeping moisture in- as you can see from the amount of roots at the top of the pot there’s a lot going on in there!

#### Greg replied on 2024-07-12

How long do the blooms last? You said you let it dry out between waterings which is what makes me think it could be too much fertilizer.

---

_Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_