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01-16-2024, 11:00 AM
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Jr. Member
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Join Date: Jun 2023
Posts: 23
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Color change
It looks like I have 2 Catts in the same container- one of them is developing a purple hue in its leaves. The other had a leaf yellow and dry out- it now has a second leaf starting to possibly do the same.
It/they is/are currently living on a heating mat and a thermometer/thermostat keeps the root zone around 72. It is getting 14 hours from a grow light. I water it once to twice per week depending on how dry the media gets and fertilize it weakly/weekly with MSU. It also gets Cal/mag once every 4-6 weeks.
Is purple okay? Should I separate the 2 Catts into their own pots? Other thoughts? Pics attached.
Thank you!
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01-16-2024, 11:57 AM
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Super Moderator
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Zone: 10a
Location: Coastal southern California, USA
Posts: 13,858
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Some Catts. especially those with dark flowers, will show red color in the leaves especially in high light. It is very possible that you have 2 plants in there, but I would suggest to wait on any repotting until you see new roots. You may need to increase the watering, the heat mat will make it tend to dry out faster.
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01-16-2024, 11:58 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2015
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Location: Abrantes
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Piper23
Is purple okay?
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You should investigate this term: Anthocyanin
It's a pigment that in plants causes a reaction to light intensity, the same reaction as we, humans, experience and know as "tanning".
In case of plants with high light requirements, this is usually a sign that the light levels are adequate.
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Meteo data at my city here.
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01-16-2024, 01:19 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2023
Location: Texas
Posts: 233
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14 hours from a grow light is probably a good amount of light, so the "purpling" is probably what rbarata mentioned, anthocyanin. It's not in itself a bad thing, but your plant will continue to make it's leaves purple-y under high light.
Usually, this is due to the intensity of the light when using grow lights, so maybe get the plant a couple of inches away from the light, or move the light up a couple of inches.
If it keeps happening after you've moved the plant or the light, try 12 hours of light exposure.
I would also do what Roberta says, just in case.
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01-16-2024, 03:47 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2015
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Location: Phoenix AZ - Lower Sonoran Desert
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Almost no epiphytic orchids in habitat get 14 hours of light. 10-11 hours in winter is enough. Seedlings do better in lower light levels, with no purpling. Those need more frequent watering - they're shriveled.
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Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes
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01-16-2024, 04:46 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: Norman Oklahoma
Posts: 89
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I have heat mats under my Catts, Dens and Oncs over winter.
The heat rises up through the pot and takes the moisture with it.
I water those on the mats at almost summer frequency, every 3 days.
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01-17-2024, 12:46 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Zone: 9b
Location: Phoenix AZ - Lower Sonoran Desert
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I decide when to wster by looking at the plants. Those are shriveled and need more water.
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01-17-2024, 01:24 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jan 2022
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Watering on a set schedule is convenient for the grower but doesn’t always work for the plants. Having a set schedule for *checking* if plants need water is great.
I don’t grow these, but your plants are displaying the classic signs of stress (slight shriveling, purple coloring). Like the others have said, reduce the light duration a bit and try watering when the plants need it, not by a schedule. You can also try placing a plastic barrier on the top of the medium to slow evaporation.
I give my phals. very high light and many develop reddish/purple coloration, which is fine, but they’re not young plants. Babies need a gentler touch.
Last edited by Dimples; 01-17-2024 at 01:26 PM..
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