purple margins mini phal
 

This mini-phal has been resting in my terrarium, 6" -8" under a 26W CFL 6500K running 14hrs/day. Avg. temps 67-73, humidity >75%. I've begun to notice a slight purpling to the leaf margins. I know that purpling of the leaves can indicate an excess of light, but I didn't think that would be possible with a plant 6" from a 26W CFL. While I don't have a light meter, I was estimating 500fc at 6" from a 26W CFL. Is it possible that this still is too much light for the phal? Or am I dealing with something completely different? Should I have acclimated the plant to this light level?

Also, there seem to be a few spots located on the leaf margin and midline (see photo). Not sure if they were there when I purchased the plant or not. Any thoughts? Scale? Burn? Nothing?

Thanks

That plant looks fine to me. A lot of Paphs (and others) get a pink or red tinge to them when they are getting good light, nothing to worry about...the brown spots look like mechanical damage to me, they were probably there when you got it and just didnt notice. I think all is well.....Jean

If your Phal has pink or purple/magenta blooms it would be normal for the leaves to have a purple edge.

It would not be because the light is too much for the plant.

Brooke

This is phal. thisbe with magenta blooms. So this totally makes sense now. Thank you guys for the excellent input!

Meristem