Rescued Orchid/Brownish Leaves

[ZeroLT1]

Hello all!

I recently have taken in an orchid from my Grandmother. It seems she had fallen for the "Just add ice" advice and has watered her orchid that way for the past year.

I also have a perfectly healthy orchid in the house for my wife and wanted to make sure there was nothing else going on other than the obvious ice issue. (I'm assuming bacteria and viruses can spread plant to plant just like in people).

Any thoughts are appreciated! I've included pictures below.

[reliablefool]

It looks like it was in bright light, near its limit, and the leaves took on a redder tint.

[wintergirl]

Welcome to Orchid Board. I agree with reliablefool, when a phal is exposed to the maximum light the leaves take on a reddish tint.

[ZeroLT1]

Thank you for the words of wisdom. I'm guessing this is something that won't go away on the current leaves? Hopefully I can get it recovered properly.

[reliablefool]

It's my understanding that there is nothing to recover. The color is just an indication that it has been growing in high light. Some people strive for this so they know they are giving their plants enough light, or they get this and then back off on the light a little because they don't want to risk sunburn (much more light after this kind of pigment development can lead to burning).

[ZeroLT1]

My mistake, I misunderstood the "near its limit" as a bad thing. :

[Stray59]

I agree - it looks like your Phalae' just has a good tan! As long as there are no bleached out areas, then it looks like it is fine. Some Phalaenopsis have a purple cast to the leaves naturally, especially on the edge and under-side of the leaf. The more light, the more prominent the color becomes, in order to protect the leaf from burning - again, a plant tan.
In fact, it looks really healthy - someone has been doing right by it, as the roots that are showing look great. Often the "ice" trick freezes the top roots, but these look good! Good growing.

[tarev]

Orchid looks okay, just make sure that container has drainage holes. If you want you can try and pry the sphag moss just to check the general condition of the roots below. I do that to any new orchid I get.

[ZeroLT1]

Glad to hear it looks healthy! I have already checked to see and the roots actually look in pretty good shape from what I can tell.

I also watered it yesterday and to my luck it is planted in a plastic pot with drainage holes.