Leaves Turn Purple Under New Light

[Stray59]

Hey guys!
Good call isurus79 - I knew that but had forgotten it! This seems especially true with phalaenopsis, at least in my experience. Often, the only phalae with plain green leaves is a pure white one! And it often holds true that the darker the leaves and bloom stem, the darker the bloom, just as you said.
Have you guys seen the dyed blue phalae's - even the foliage picks up the dye if you look close. I saw one the other day that had vivid blue streaks in the leaves, especially near the base. Really odd looking - but that is a different thread! But, I think this shows the relation between leaf coloring and bloom coloring; obviously some of the bloom color is carried into the leaf in some form. I bet one of the science guys could answer this for us on a molecular level
Steve

[MelanieAt]

Originally Posted by Stray59

Have you guys seen the dyed blue phalae's - even the foliage picks up the dye if you look close. I saw one the other day that had vivid blue streaks in the leaves, especially near the base. Really odd looking - but that is a different thread! But, I think this shows the relation between leaf coloring and bloom coloring; obviously some of the bloom color is carried into the leaf in some form. I bet one of the science guys could answer this for us on a molecular level
Steve

Well I learned something new thanks to you. The pure green leaved phals give white blooms. that correlates with my mini NOID phal.

I have a paph with a super dark flower and its mottled leaves have a purple central 'vein' under the leaves. So I think you might also be onto something with paphs.

[Stray59]

melanie;
Not as versed in paphs as phalae's, but it holds to reason that this may be true. Don't hold this as gospel, but it seems to be a good rule of thumb!
Steve
- love these smiles.

[escualida]

Originally Posted by Stray59

LMAO so random

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Stray59

melanie;
Not as versed in paphs as phalae's, but it holds to reason that this may be true. Don't hold this as gospel, but it seems to be a good rule of thumb!
Steve
- love these smiles.

Just remember you have to compare like species or crosses for this to work. For example, when picking out a seedling Cattleya schilleriana I would pick out any with darker colored leaves when compared with other Catt. schilleriana. This comparison would not work if I compared it to a different species or a different hybrid of some sort. I just wanted to make that simple, though VERY important rule clear!!

[Stray59]

Another good catch isurus79!
As you said, a VERY important point, as each species or cross will have it's own 'blush' - some will naturally have this coloring and the darker color could have nothing to do with flower color, but rather light exposure, fertilizer availability, or even foliage variation within the species. But, this does see, to hold true with phalaenopsis and perhaps phaps!
There is sooooo much to remember since we are dealing with the largest plant family in the world. (Will not speak of the entire universe, as I have not explored that as thoroughly yet, but I have enough to deal with here.......)
Steve