What causes new growths to be purple/red instead of green?

[ramonypony]

My laeliocattleya, encyclia and blc. are all growing a new pseudobulb and they're all purple! One is so dark that it's almost burgundy. I'm concerned that these orchids may not be getting enough light because they're under a large tree and the sun has moved north.

Is this normal? Is it a sign of enough, not enough or too much light?

[dendro king]

Personally my orchids only go red/ purple when exposed to a lot of sun. Although some orchids are naturally a more purple shade than others. Hope that helps.

[KristenReuel]

From what I've found, it's a sign that they're getting high levels of sun, enough to keep them happy. But don't expose them to higher levels of sun or they'll burn.

[WhiteRabbit]

Many Catt alliance new growths start out colored this way.

[james mickelso]

Amen to what Sonya says. Lots of my catts and laelias start out burgundy

[tropterrarium]

AFAIK, it is a question of pigment development in the new growths of many plants. The red xanthophylls develop first/in greater concentration than the green chlorophyll. Absolutely normal and nothing to worry about.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by tropterrarium

AFAIK, it is a question of pigment development in the new growths of many plants. The red xanthophylls develop first/in greater concentration than the green chlorophyll. Absolutely normal and nothing to worry about.

Ah! Good info! I didn't know what the reason for that was - thanks!

[RosieC]

I've seen the same as well about new growths. I only have two Catts, one always has red new growths, the other green.

The one with red new growths also goes redder in high sun, but regardless of the sun it's new growths are always red.

[euplusia]

Agreed, a sign of sufficient light level respectively ultraviolett radiation.

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by RosieC

I've seen the same as well about new growths. I only have two Catts, one always has red new growths, the other green.

The one with red new growths also goes redder in high sun, but regardless of the sun it's new growths are always red.

Originally Posted by RosieC

I've seen the same as well about new growths. I only have two Catts, one always has red new growths, the other green.

The one with red new growths also goes redder in high sun, but regardless of the sun it's new growths are always red.

Only two Catts?

I am now dying to know, what alliances are you moved to?
(This is always wonderously individual-specific; I just love that.)