Red Leaves on Rlc. Little Toshie "Pizzaz"

[BKFSRS]

I saw the post down below for red leaves and I'm seeing the same thing. This plant was outside all summer with quite a bit of light and now it's in a south facing window indoors. I'm wondering if it's getting too much sun? It does have a spike coming up in the second picture. I've only had this for about 6 months, so no history to go on.

[silken]

Wow, that sure is red! And yet most of the leaves don't have much red pigment in them. Is that the side closest to the window? I would think it is sunburn. A south window can be really bright and hot.

I'm thinking a few of the leaves look a bit leathery or dry. Is it getting enough water? I know some of my old leaves can look like that when the rest are fine. the bark should dry between watering but not for real long.

[BKFSRS]

Yes, the red leaves were closest to the window. I have probably let it get too dry in between waterings. I recently repotted everything into Orchiatta and am not quite used to the more frequent watering that is required. But it's been better for me since I had some issues with overwatering and rotting roots in standard bark and cch. Thanks

[silken]

I would move it back from the window a bit. Or if possible put a sheer curtain in front of the window. Something I find helpful is to put a bamboo kebab skewer down into each pot and leave it there. When I think it is time to water, I pull it out and see if the skewer is damp, or dry and use it to determine how moist things are in the centre and near the bottom of the pot where it is the last to dry. Orchiata is supposed to hold moisture a bit better and evenly than regular bark. But it may still need a little time to get seasoned. When bark is new it doesn't hold much moisture.

[BKFSRS]

Ok, thanks. I have read about the skewer method but haven't tried it. I have some skewers so I'll give it a try since this Orchiatta is new for me. I also didn't realize that I would have to change my orchid locations so much throughout the year due to the angle of the sun. What used to be in partial shade is now in full sun and vice versa. Thanks again!

[silken]

Originally Posted by BKFSRS

Ok, thanks. I have read about the skewer method but haven't tried it. I have some skewers so I'll give it a try since this Orchiatta is new for me. I also didn't realize that I would have to change my orchid locations so much throughout the year due to the angle of the sun. What used to be in partial shade is now in full sun and vice versa. Thanks again!

I used to rot a lot of orchid roots until I started using the skewers. A pot with just bark or moss can feel very lightweight and make you think it is dry when it is still wet further down into the pot.

[tucker85]

The red leaves don't necessarily mean that the cattleya is getting too much light. It only indicates that it's getting more light than it was used to. This time of the year, the light in Chicago is not very strong. If you decide to reduce the amount of light the orchid is getting, don't reduce it very much. Many of my orchids get red, like yours, or get red freckles as they adjust to higher light. Good luck.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by BKFSRS

This plant was outside all summer with quite a bit of light and now it's in a south facing window indoors. I'm wondering if it's getting too much sun? ...I've only had this for about 6 months, so no history to go on.

Describe where the plant was while outside and what you are labeling as "quite a bit of light".

How much light is it getting in your south window? (How many hours of direct light? Is the south window obstructed at all by a tree etc?)

Depending just how much "quite a bit" was, it is possible that your south facing window is providing considerably more direct light than what it was getting while outside. If that is the case, then it may just be a matter of your plant not having been given the time to fully adjust to the light increase.

For that matter, what is the temperature like in that window area when the sun is shining in? It is also possible, that the issue may be that the red areas are over heating if the temps are too high as the sun shines in. Do you have any crystals/suncatchers in the window? Just tossing that out there in case you do and it is acting like a magnifying lens shining on those leaf areas.

Considering how localized the red areas are, I'm rather curious as to what could be causing a greater intensity of light to shine on just those areas.

Were those leaf areas actually in contact with the window?

[BKFSRS]

Well, I live on the 6th floor of a condo building and have a balcony that faces due south. I don't know exactly because I had some planters that shaded my Catts for part of the day, but I would say that they received a good 4 hours of direct sun this summer. It gets pretty hot out there, but because I'm close to the lake it's always breezy, or down right windy. Inside the house this plant sat right next to a floor to ceiling window and I think the two red areas may have actually been touching the window at some point. I can't remember if they were turning red while outside, but I don't think so. I do have an overhang on the balcony, but now that the sun is lower, I get about 5 hours of direct sun inside also. I don't have any screening or drapes, so I'm trying to figure out where to put everything. I have quite a few Phals and I move them back from the window in the winter and they do well on heat mats because the windows are cold during winter. Thanks for your feedback.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by tucker85

The red leaves don't necessarily mean that the cattleya is getting too much light. It only indicates that it's getting more light than it was used to. This time of the year, the light in Chicago is not very strong. If you decide to reduce the amount of light the orchid is getting, don't reduce it very much. Many of my orchids get red, like yours, or get red freckles as they adjust to higher light. Good luck.

I wouldn't worry about the red leaves.