Brassavola with red/purple leaves on sun-side

[floempie01]

Hi,

I read that red/purple specks or freckles on a Brassavola were good -- an indication it was getting enough sun. And that Brassavola really likes sun as well.

My new Brassavola nodosa though has leaves turned red/purple on one side, on the sun side. Not all leaves, and only on the sunny side.

This seems too much, right? do I have to take it out of the window?

thanks for your advice.

M

[Roberta]

The red/purple leaves indicate that the plant is at the upper edge of the light that it wants. You could move it back just a little. But these are high-light plants, so as long as you don't see signs if burning, it does need light. Do watch as spring approaches - depending on the direction of the window, it could get to the "too bright" level. Or not... if the window faces south, the light may become less direct as the sun moves north. Time for vigilance. When the sun is hitting the leaves, feel them - if hot to the touch, then move the plant back a little.

[isurus79]

I can't tell from the photo for sure, but it looks like the newest growths are purple and the older ones are green. The newest ones will turn purple and then go green as they become mature.

Due to your latitude, I doubt very much that full in the hottest day on the brightest day in the Netherlands would be enough to burn a nodosa! I wouldn't move this plant at all.

[Keysguy]

I'm with you Isurus.
I'm at a very different latitude than the thread starter and grow in a 60% shade house year round but I have several Brassavola and every one of them have a few red leaves right now.

Here's my theory. I wouldn't say the red leaves are the brand new ones but I think they are among the newer. I believe this red color occurs on the newer leaves that have not had multiple years of exposure to bright light (Note: I didn't say "sun"). In early spring, as the sun starts to climb a little in the sky and get more intense, these newer growths are still "acclimating" themselves to that brighter light level.

My argument is supported by 4 factors:
1) less than 50% of the leaves on any given plant are affected.
2) Every one of my Brassavolas do it.
3) I have yet to see any indication of anything resembling permanent damage as a result of the reddening
4) Within 2 months, every one of them will be green again.

I don't see this on any other of my 250 orchids so I really think it's a Brassavola genetics thing.

Just one person's observations.

[floempie01]

Thanks Roberta, I will put it back in the window sill and check whether it is getting hot. What should I look for wrt the burning, is it different from turning purple?

M

---------- Post added at 10:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:22 AM ----------

thanks Isurus. I don't know how this plant was grown before as I got it only a few weeks back. But I guess it will have grown inside a large hall without direct sunlight. So it is probably a sudden change to be in the window sill.
I have not seen new growth yet, but it is possible indeed that the younger leaves are turning purple. From the discussions here and earlier postings I just found, I understand the coloring might not be permanent and might not be a problem.

[Roberta]

I think that burning is really unlikely, especially this time of year and on this type of orchid (with the narrow, cylindrical leavess) You have received good advice from several people... don't worry about it.

[Louis_W]

Im consider deep purple leaves a good thing. I push all my plants to the extremes of light so all my Cattleya are somewhat purple, and the stems of my bifoliates are deep red. For me, they respond very well and grow very strongly. Burning is clearly bad so you need to keep an eye on that and back off if it starts happening, but im a fan of the purple

[Dimples]

I don’t grow this plant and it seems like everyone else thinks it’s going to be just fine, but adding a fan (if you don’t have one) will minimize the potential for heat damage by keeping the leaves cooler. On sunny days I have a fan blowing towards my orchids because that corner can get HOT and I give my phals light at the upper end of their tolerance.

[Roberta]

Remember, the OP is located in the Netherlands, sun angle a lot lower, and sun intensity a lot less, than in southern California. I would have more concern as summer approaches and the sun shifts north (and day length increases a lot) than I would now. Certainly, observation is important - if it feels hot, it is hot. But I think the note by the OP that the plant came from a large greenhouse with uniform light and likely is just adjusting, is a good observation.