Is my Young B Little Stars getting Too much light?
Hi. I have Slowly been inching my full spectrum, 27W cfl bulb down toward my young (only just starting to grow a few sheaths) B Little Stars; I recently upgraded my lighting.
It is now around 5-6" from end of bulb to tip of longest leaf. The output at leaf tip is around 1500 fc or bit more (still not Great at getting Consistent readings with my light meter). Light is on for 14 hrs; may decrease slowly to around 12 hrs by Winter (if recommended).
When I first bought her, the orchid had dark green leaves. In my Original distant, but full spectrum Group of 13W cfl bulbs, her leaves gradually got lighter.
As I've inched the Current light (inside a deep dome reflector), they've continued to get lighter. As I got to what I figured would be a Final stopping point of an "ideal" 6" away, the upper edges of her leaves, and esp her biggest new growth, have all gotten darker and darker purple. There is also some more subtle purple splotching throughout.
I know purple coloration indicates the orchid is receiving its high light requirements. But is it Too Much...esp since this is a Young plant with Tiny new growths?
Also, do the leaves look adequately hydrated, or is the potential too much light affecting that as well?
I certainly don't want to cause sunburn and setbacks at this point. (It was a sort of rescue, with roots found to be munched by snails. But sprayed once with H2O2 and no signs of snails now; two new, fat roots look good and growing longer every day).
If I need to move light further away, is there a recommendation as to How far...or just see if purple diminishes a bit (but not completely)?
Is there a point at which purple coloration then becomes sunburn? I mean, any Warning signs, before it becomes irreversible damage?
Thanks 🌞
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