Rapid leaf color change t5ho

[Zoomie]

Hello everyone. After a ton of reading, I am both perplexed and confused.

I grabbed some rescue Phals which are likely hybrids. Got them out of their Sphag swamps and in to bark.

I have a baker’s rack set up with my miniature pretend sun. Each shelf has 4 x 4ft t5ho’s running 6500 k daylight bulbs.

For the last couple of days I have had the new Phals in a pan on the floor. All were green. Very quickly, one of the plants leaves turned darkish almost purple. A second plant is starting to darken while the third remains a medium green.

I THOUHT I had read that dark leaves can be an indication of not enough light. I find that hard to believe as it is insanely bright ! I’m growing Lithops, Cacti, Stapeliads, and bonsai starters on the rack.

Plants/leaves appear to be very healthy. Any ideas as to why leaves are so dark?

Posting pics. Pic 1 is right after repot. Pic 2 is this morning. Pic 3 is grow rack for reference.

[Ray]

You are frying your plants, because that powerful light fixture is too close to them.

Phals are deep-shade plants...

[Zoomie]

That’s what I was worried about. I’ll pull them right now.

Sincerest thanks, Ray.

[Subrosa]

Definitely overlighting the plants. You could remove 2 bulbs, and as long as you can maintain a solid 12" between the tubes you shouldn't cook them. Some may still turn purple, some red, and some may fade to a yellowish green, as these normal reactions to higher light levels vary from plant to plant.

[Zoomie]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Definitely overlighting the plants. You could remove 2 bulbs, and as long as you can maintain a solid 12" between the tubes you shouldn't cook them. Some may still turn purple, some red, and some may fade to a yellowish green, as these normal reactions to higher light levels vary from plant to plant.

I can’t pull bulbs as the other species on the rack require it.
Plants are 2 feet from light, in an acillary lighting position (not under reflector), but it’s still pretty danged bright in here. I have cacti flowering, to put it in to perspective.

I loved them to the living room. They are catching some indirect light from a south facing window but catch no direct light.

Another classic case of the new idiot trying to force multiple species in to a single environment.