Light
 

I have moved my orchids (phals) a little closer to the window last week.Now i am seeing at change in color(a little darker green) It's a south facing window obstructed by trees some what,But i also use blinds so its not full sun
but its bright. Is the darker color a good thing?

I think the color of phal leaves is suppose to be a lighter green-- not a deep rich green one might expect. If the leaves of phals turn dark green, they aren't getting the proper amount of light (this is what I read) and that if they begin to yellow it is too much.

BTW herf, I sent you a private message.

yea that's weird Im getting the opposite effect.I moved them close to the window and they get darker. weird.The orchid world baffles me some times :)

also i did not receive a private message sorry

If they're terribly dark green they're getting too much light. A good way to tell if the plant is getting enough or too much light is to judge by leaf color. The leaves should be similar to the color of grass. Be careful however, because too much light can burn the leaves. Phalaenopsis orchids do not like direct sunlight. I've found filtered light is good for mine. I have two that sit on either side of my piano and the light in the room is filtered by sheer curtains. Thus far, both have responded well to the lighting conditions ;)

You also have to consider the particular variety. I have about 10 phals grouped together receiving the same amount of light. Some have bright "lawn green" leaves which is supposed to be correct, but I also have darker leafed ones. One in particular is very dark on the top and almost burgundy on the underside. I have no doubt of its health because it is huge and currently has two multi-branched spikes in full bloom.

Miyuki, I say if they're doing well enough to be blooming in large spikes, they like where they're at, huh? I guess it's all a matter of how your individual plant responds. All of our 'chids are different in their own way... LOL... :)

what made me start to question the amount of light they where getting was cause if there change in color
From light to dark in a 2 day period.

If it's that rapid a change, I'd definitely say it's too much light... I have a dendrobium that did that and by the third day, the particular leaf had yellowed totally and dropped off altogether... I'd go ahead and move it away from the light for a bit...

Herf--
I'm sorry- I thought I sent you that private message-- guess it didn't take. My question to you was if you know the name of the flower you use for you profile pic-- it is lovely.

Sorry its a type of baldans Kaleidoscope not sure other than that i found it on the net some where...

Strange that it would become dark green! Do you have a pic? Hard to tell how much sun it's getting exactly. My phals can take dappled south sun easily (I'm at a latitude simila to you). By dappled I mean that there is a butterfly bush in front of the window that blocks a bit of the sun.

I would give it time to adjust a bit more before you move it again. Watch it for a while, and feel the leaves. If they leaves start to feel warm to the touch, you need to move the plant a bit further from the window. It might also develop a little bit of a purple tinge. That's good, means the plant is getting the max amount of light it needs. But if it goes completely purple, that's too much light!


Still, keep in mind that the sun is getting stronger and stronger now, as spring progresses, so watch the plant carefully!