Leaf Discoloration- Why?

[Connie Star]

I have an Otaara Jane Fumiye 'Hawaii' that I have been growing under a 125 Watt CFL. It has been close to the lamp, but not as close as some other plants. The leaves and PBs have been turning reddish. Can a CFL light do that? There is some sunlight thru the south facing windows, but this was not the plant closes to the window, and the ones that are closer do not have this problem. Just to be sure I tested it for viruses and it came up negative.
Anybody know why?

[Connie Star]

And, I have an Encyclia fragrans that has a different leaf problem, it has splotches of yellowing. I'm guessing this may be lack of nitrogen or some other nutrient? I fertilize with either Rays fertilizer for SH (it's in bark) or Jacks Classic. Does anyone else have this problem?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

If you really have a 125 W CFL, that's pretty strong light. If it's a CFL that is equivalent to a 125 W incandescent it's still a fair amount of light.

Just to give you an idea. I can sufficiently grow shade to moderate light orchids in a terrarium with 27 W CFL's.

The Encyclia probably has a nutrient deficiency. Not sure which nutrient. It might be deficient in the following:

Magnesium
Manganese
Molybdenum

Nitrogen

[RobS]

The dark leaf colouration Looks like the light to me.

The Prostechea fragrans could just be shedding it's oldest leaves.

[silken]

The first picture looks like to much light. I have the odd catt. that turns red similar to that when they are getting the same light as the others. It must be something in their breeding that one of the parents grows in more shade than most. Try moving it away a bit and see what happens. the other to me just looks like an older leaf dying off as RobS said. But maybe the photo doesn't show the problem 100% clearly.

[Ray]

I vote with Rob

[Connie Star]

Thanks everybody!
Philip, it is a 125 Watt CFL. I'm using two fertilizers ( I alternate haphazardly) both of which have micronutrients. Maybe I'm not applying often enough?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Connie Star

Thanks everybody!
Philip, it is a 125 Watt CFL. I'm using two fertilizers ( I alternate haphazardly) both of which have micronutrients. Maybe I'm not applying often enough?

If it's not the nutrients then it's as Rob had said, it might be an old leaf shedding.

[Gin]

I also think it is an old leaf shedding it seems to be that time of the year a few of mine have shed the old . The red color looks like a light thing to me ..