Osmoglossum (cuitlauzina) pulchellum is very yellow, is this normal?

[bateaux_mousse]

I recently bought my first plant of this species and I was a bit alarmed when this arrived looking like a slightly underripe banana, but I went back to the seller site and noticed that their picture showed nearly the same color. Everything I've gotten from this seller has been healthy, and other than the odd color this one seems healthy too. The new growth is a very light green, but it looks like as the growth ages it gets more and more yellow. All the other pics I can find online show the whole plant light to medium green, is this maybe a trait of this particular genetic line? Any culture tips would also be appreciated, I've seen a couple people saying they're not easy but no specifics on why. So far I'm doing a medium amount of light and water and it seems fine, but I've only had it a few weeks.

[Ray]

I don't know that particular species, but I know of no orchid that is pale yellow.

Looking at orchidspecies.com, I see that it is a cool- to cold- growing plant, so maybe it got overheated.

[fishmom]

I have that, and the older bulbs are definitely more yellow than the new ones or the leaves, which are pale green. I'll try to post a pic. later.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

I'm not familiar with that species, but there are plenty of orchids that are quite yellow in habitat. It's more a function of light than heat with these plants. For example, many Miltonias and Tolumnias bloom and grow best when they are distinctly yellow. (Not Miltoniopsis, the pansy orchids.) Miltonia spectabilis especially is known for this.

[bateaux_mousse]

That's encouraging, so in these types does the yellow mean they're being grown at the high end of what they can tolerate for light? I got a dendrobium amethystoglossum in the same order that had quite the "sun tan" so I wouldn't be surprised if that's how this seller grows.

[estación seca]

I am not familiar with either plant, so I don't know what they look like in habitat. Some people do grow their orchids in high light, and high light definitely causes yellowing of many orchids. Some orchids grow and bloom better with high light and yellow coloring, and others do not. I have been told most Phalaenopsis bloom better with lower, rather than higher, light.

[fishmom]

You can see the yellow glow on the p-bulb in the front.

[bateaux_mousse]

Hope I'm doing the pic right, it's quite a bit more yellow than yours.

[fishmom]

You are right, it is definitely more yellow than mine.

Did you repot when you received the plant? I am wondering if those old yellow bulbs actually have any roots. The most recent bulb, with the green leaves, looks more normal. I would check roots to see if they are present, and also the firmness of the older bulbs. It may green up more as it grows for you and you see new bulbs.

My understanding of culture is cool, medium light (2000-3000 fc.) moist but not soggy. I am not really able to provide a cool enough situation, so mine does not grow very quickly. It wintered outside and bloomed in the spring, after a dryer winter. My summer temperatures are warmer than it would like though, regularly in the 80s. in my grow-tent.

[bateaux_mousse]

I did repot it, decent root system but I think mostly from the newer bulbs. All of them are plump and firm though, and it has a brand new growth starting that's more like the color of yours so I don't think the plant is too unhealthy. It will be interesting to see how it progresses.