is this leaf coloring normal for a phal?
 

Hello all, I recently bough a beautiful big phal at a local nursery, and it looks great and healthy except for this redish brown color on the inderside of some of the leaves and some of the crown. There were other orchids there that had this, and I am just wondering if this is normal?

It probably just means the plant was getting a high light level, perhaps a little too much. Some phals are more prone to it depending on the species behind the hybrid and especially if they have dark pink or reddish flowers. Fertlizer imbalance can contribute too. Give it normal care and you should have no problems, and new leaves will probably be greener.

If you see the purple coloring only on the underside of the leaf, then it's probably normal for that phal. Dark colored phals are more likely to have it. In the case of the purple appearing because of high light, there is usually some purple (though much less) visible on the upper surface of the leaf.

thanks guys, as long as it is not a transmitable disease then all is good :)

I agree that it looks like either natural colouring or too much light. As has already been said, give it proper care and it should be fine.

I have that sort of colouring in one of mine, mostly under the leaves but a little bit on the top. It seems to grow happily that way even if it's getting a bit much light (it's in the same light as my other phals but may be one which prefers a bit less).

In my opinion this colour is pretty normal.
Some species (for example P. schilleriana) has the underside of the leaves of a even darker red.
I think it's perfectly natural and also extremely beautiful ;)

its to much light, some of mine have done the same after beeing left in a south window

I don't know if this is applicable to phals; however, I have noticed that when there is an appreciable temp variance from day-to-night, plus a lot of light (not enough to burn, but just a lot of it), then some plants, such as succulents, will take on some brilliant colors. I have also noticed this be the case with some of my other plants that enjoy the warm summer days and the cool, almost cold, Colorado nights. It turns my succulents, hippeastrum and several other plant's leaves to show some amazing colors without ill effect to the plant itself.

I do not believe this plant is getting too much light. Of course, you can change its grow location and see if there is any change.

I have a dark purple NOID phal that has purple undersides of its leaves and she blooms very well for me.

ivce had purple phals with purple-ing under the leaves like that it is healthy looking to me

If I can remember... and it is becoming more difficult these days.... I'll post some "too much sun" pics. I do a great job of sunburning my Phals.... So now I've started to use SPF 45 beginning June 1st until September 1st on all of the leaves!!!!!!