mottled leaves on a cattleya

[sevilliana]

I have extreme variations of green coloration on the leaves of some of my cattleyas - see attched photos. any ideas what is wrong?

[Zoi2]

How long have you had them and what kind of culture are you giving them?
Joann

[Becca]

I have the same thing going on with one of my cattleya hybrids....but mine is more blotchy looking. None of my other orchids have this problems so I figure whatever it is isn't or hasn't spread...so I'm just trying to wait and see what happens with future growths. I'd like to hear what others have to say as well about this!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Questions:

1. When you purchased this Cattleya, what shade of green was it?

2. How long have you had it?

3. Did you move the plant from one location to another?

4. If you moved it, are you able to describe both growing locations in detail? Please include information such as temperature, humidity, light, etc.

[trdyl]

It looks like the plant that was grown in a lower light intensity then moved to a high light intensity area.

[johnblagg]

is this perhaps too much light?
would this be what they describe as bleaching ?

[trdyl]

Originally Posted by johnblagg

is this perhaps too much light?
would this be what they describe as bleaching ?

This is what I am thinking.

[sevilliana]

I am not sure how long I have had this particular plant - I have this problem on multiple plants - not just cattleyas but on some phales and dendrobiums as well. Some of my plants are over 5 years old - I inherited some of them and they could be as old a ten years but I don't know for sure. All my plants are in bark and they have been fed well water and fertilized - though the fertilizer levels have not been consistent over time.

[sevilliana]

The lighting question is interesting - I am always guessing about light levels in my greenhouse. I have shaded polycarbonite panels and sometimes have hung extra shading cloth but I don't really know for sure how much light my plants are getting. My greenhouse is on the west side of my barn - three exposed sides.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

How about the light?

Have they been moved around?