Brassavola nodosa, leaves too red?

[WillisWill]

I've read this species enjoys high light levels, however, I'm a little concerned that mine is getting too much. Hopefully the attached photo shows how the part of the leaves exposed to the light have turned almost completely red.

Is this a sign of too much light? Should I move it to a less bright spot?

Thanks

[dounoharm]

that looks real good to me, good growing!

[tuvoc]

Looks fine to me. These guys can take a lot of light. Back off a bit if it starts to show signs of burn, but don't worry to much if it does. I always toast mine a bit when I take it outside for the summer.

Kim

[stefpix]

I burned my Bc Yellow Bird (half B nodosa). had to cut off some leaves that were getting wrinkled and black. The Bc Kosh Wallis that I bought at the same time turned slightly purple but no sunburn.

I would move it to a slightly shadier location. I heard that when leaves get so purple they do not really photosynthetize as much...

less chlorophyll in the leaf

[isurus79]

Every plant I own that has red leaves from the sun grows like mad. I would leave it right where it is and watch it give you tons of blooms!

[RJSquirrel]

red/purple leaves mean "OPTIMUM" level of light achieved .You have reached the max limit.

My BC and LC's never put out a new growth until the leaves started to turn purplish.

Anthocyanin is a pigment that causes the color change. Anthocyanins have been shown to act as a "sunscreen", protecting cells from high-light damage by absorbing blue-green and UV light, thereby protecting the tissues from photo-inhibition, or high-light stress.

I have a purple flowered phal that the whole underside and top leaves are purple. Thats a combination of light and flower color. Very disturbing from a phal ,until it poked out 2 spikes

You are doing fine!!


Anthocyanin is available for human consumption in many fruits and vegetables everyday. I somehow conceive the idea if we consume to much of this, we turn into Purple Hybrid Smurfs

[Oscarman]

Your plant looks great, good color and nice shape in the pot.

[Cattleya17]

That looks great! mine is super dark purple right now the new roots are deep maroon as well!

@Stefpix My yellow bird is doing the same thing! it can't take the same light levels as the nodosa its doing poorly cuz thats the light ive been giving it since the start im gonna try a shadier spot and see what happens cuz its straight up Ugly right now!

[stefpix]

Cattleya17:

I had to cut off most leaves of the Yellow Bird. They burned after turning purple they got wrinkly like old leather. I do not understand why because all the parents seem to like lots of light. I have a Bc Kosh Wallis that has similar foliage but just turned purple in the sun. Anyway, I cut the burned leaves of the Yellow Bird and it is growing 2 or 3 new PBs. I put it on my roof as I think the new growth may take more light. Doesn't the Yellow Bird need good light to bloom?

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by stefpix

Cattleya17:

I had to cut off most leaves of the Yellow Bird. They burned after turning purple they got wrinkly like old leather. I do not understand why because all the parents seem to like lots of light. I have a Bc Kosh Wallis that has similar foliage but just turned purple in the sun. Anyway, I cut the burned leaves of the Yellow Bird and it is growing 2 or 3 new PBs. I put it on my roof as I think the new growth may take more light. Doesn't the Yellow Bird need good light to bloom?

Bright light is definitely what they need. However, just like a pale skinned person being inside all winter, if your plant is suddenly exposed to summer sun, it will burn. Be sure to increase the light slowly over time.