Store bought mini phals with purple leaves

[Joelovefragrance]

Okay so, my mom bought me some mini phals from my local supermarket as a gift. At the time, they were doing how any mini phal from the supermarket would be expected to do. Since then, however, they have started getting a deep purple color on the tops of the leaves. Now, I know that its fairly common for phals, especially ones with purple flowers, to get this tinge on the bottoms of the leaves when they get good sun, but not only are these on the top, the phal is mostly white with tiny speckles of purple at the center of it. Because of this, I do not really know if it is as simple as its getting good light. It might be, but thats what I need your help with.

Shared album - Joeyflyswimmer - Google Photos

there is a link to some photos i took. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[camille1585]

What sort of light are they getting? Slightly above optimal light intensity could be the cause. The other thing I notice is the the yellow margins on some of the leaves, which may be nutrient related. Are you fertilizing at all, and with what? Do you supplement with Ca/Mg?

Another thing, but it could be do to the lighting in the photos, the leaves are looking like the plants could use a bit more water.

[estación seca]

Hi Joey!

Purple Phal leaves usually means lots of light. But, the photos you posted don't show much purple. Phals in a lot of light tend to get much more purple than I see in your photos.

Just be sure you aren't overwatering, and they should be fine. Maybe read some of this thread:
The Phal abuse ends here.

PS Who is the swimmer? You or the flies? Or do you specialize in butterfly?

[Joelovefragrance]

Camille: They're under artificial fluorescent lighting supplemented by natural light (my window is a garbage exposure) so it could be too much light definitely. I know the light green outsides are related to fertilizer but I'm not really concerned cause it's not appearing on the new growths and it's only showing up on that one leaf for them. I think it might be mild fertilizer burn but I'm not really sure, but again I'm not concerned cause it's not spreading. Also, about the watering, at one point last year life was really stressful and I went through a period of not watering my orchids for an embarrassing amount of time but they get plenty of water now, but they did get some shrivel that hasn't really gone away but I'll make sure to keep on top of the watering.

Estacion: alright I'll make sure I don't over water. And yes I'm the swimmer I just specialized in butterfly at the time but now I'm distance free

[bwehr28]

I thought mini orchids were prone to dark green/purple leaves? I have a rescue mini orchid that is doing very well, but it has had dark green leaves with a purple tint since it started sprouting new leaves....? So it can be somewhat normal?

[MattWoelfsen]

As others have observed, the plants don't look that red. They do look healthy. But if you are noticing the red pigmentation, this is a chemical reaction to light radiation. Anthocyanin is a plant chemical that is produced to counteract radiation. In humans, that is melatonin--the plant world's version of tanning. This is also the chemical that turns maple leaves red.

I have several Phalaenopsis that produce red flowers and their leaves display this trait. It doesn't seem to harm the plant, the redder the leaves get. I do notice that the flowers seem a little deeper in color.