colour of a healthy Phalaenopsis violacea leaves - Orchid Board

ladyslipper · #1 03-12-2008, 06:10 PM

Hi guys, I have noticed a number of my plants including a Phalaenopsis violacea who's leaves are either a light green or have a "striping" of lighter green along the normal darker green of the leaves. I have double checked my lights to see if the light is too intense but it doesn't go over 2000 & in the afternoon the light may drop to 1500 & I believe this range is okay for phals & a fellow from my orchid club came by & he said either the lights are too high or I have nutrient deficiency going on likely as a result of watering with RO water only. This was echoed by Paramount as a possibility. I have upped the magnesium & calicum fertilizer through a diluted application of Mag-Pro 2-15 4 fertilzer & dissolved epson salts (Paramount suggested a bit of epson salts) when I water. It was also suggested every once & awhile a 50/50 mixture of tap & RO watering.

Question: what colour green am I looking for on Phalaenopsis violacea leaves? Someone from the orchid board said they were normally a lighter green but my new violacea has darker green leaves. Right now I am watching the new violacea as somewhat of a test object to see if the leaves are turning lighter hoping I can reverse the lightening of the leaves.

Do I infact have my lights too high? I have 2 40watt full spectrum flourescent tubes & 2 T5, I believe 40watt tubes.

Thanks for all advice & opinions - m

mehitabel · #2 03-12-2008, 06:52 PM

Hi, ladyslipper. The vio I have had (and hybrids with a lot of vio in them) have what I would call "Granny Apple Green" leaves. They are very distinctive-- shiny and roundish and that bright green color. Really quite beautiful.

I have noticed that sometimes the leaves feel and look "thinnish" and that seems less healthy to me, so when I see that I usually dose them with magnesium (epsom salts). Leaves responds to that by growing in tougher and thicker and a shade or two darker, tho still in the Granny-Apple color space. Can't remember whether the older leaves respond as well.

It certainly wouldn't hurt to add some epsom salts.

Can't say whether your lights are too strong, as I've never used T5's, but I wouldn't think so.

ladyslipper · #3 03-12-2008, 07:20 PM

Okay, thanks mehitabel, I goofed on the magnesium, I thought epsom salts were a calicum source. (my bad!!) Can you or anyone recommend a good source of useable calicum for my phals? thanks, mary

shakkai · #4 03-12-2008, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyslipper

Okay, thanks mehitabel, I goofed on the magnesium, I thought epsom salts were a calicum source. (my bad!!) Can you or anyone recommend a good source of useable calicum for my phals? thanks, mary

Tap water should work. That would also give you the magnesium as well.

Brooke · #5 03-16-2008, 08:29 PM

You can buy epson salts at any garden center or big box type store.

Ladyslipper I also noticed by violacea/bellina's were getting the stripe discoloration after having them on rainwater with the MSU for pure water. I added epson salts immediately to the fert water plus once a month now I also do a 50/50 mix with my tap and rainwater.

Like Mehitabel, my leaves toughen up immediately and new growth is fine but the old discoloration never leaves.

The violacea/bellina do have the beautiful Granny Apple green leaves :>)

Brooke

jane · #6 04-04-2008, 11:25 PM

Hi guys, how much is a bit of efson salts. Want to try coz my phal leaves are turning yellow and shiever though there's no sign of root rot and other desease.

mehitabel · #7 04-05-2008, 01:04 AM

Hi, Jane. Well, I put 1 Tbsp/gal in the watering, and/or a small pinch in the pot, which then gets watered in at the next watering.

I've done it both ways.

Leaves that can benefit from epsom salts are not really *yellow* so much as light or whitey/green and thin-textured.

Yellow leaves doesn't sound good at all, Jane. Could your plant have gotten chilled?

ladyslipper · #8 04-05-2008, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jane

Hi guys, how much is a bit of efson salts. Want to try coz my phal leaves are turning yellow and shiever though there's no sign of root rot and other desease.

Hi Jane, I use a "pinch" of epson salts in a 4 litre jug and shake the jug frequently to make sure there is no concentration of the salts. From what I have seen, there is a difference between your phal leaves turning a lighter green (which can also be a sign of too much light) and leaves turning yellow and shrivelling.

regards, mary