Giant leaf on Sedirea japonica

[LexaCat]

Hi All - I purchased a Sedirea (Phal) japonica last fall and have been growing it under LED lights for the past 7 months. I am happy that it has made a new leaf in that time, but the size of the leaf is out of proportion with the rest of the plant. The leaves that the plant came with are smaller and rounder whereas the new leaf is very long and a little thinner. Has anyone seen this before? Could it be because of too much light? Thanks in advance for your advice!

[Dalachin]

The new leaf looks very healthy, and the lighter green is a sign that it is getting good light. The non-dwarf forms produce narrow leaves like your newest leaf.

[Ray]

I would speculate too little light compared to what it had been receiving.

It wants more photons, so has created more collection area.

[Arne]

I basically agree with Ray. It is just that the new leaf looks pretty much like a normal Sedirea leaf to me.

[aihpcfl]

Assuming the plant is getting better care (consistent watering, nutrition, and assuming the light is sufficient) could that also be a possible explanation?

[LexaCat]

Thank you all for your thoughts. I'm new to growing this species, so I am happy to hear that the new leaf looks relatively normal.

In response to Ray - I can certainly move it to a brighter position on the shelf to see if that makes the plant a little happier.

In response to aihpcfl - I bought the plant from Orchids by Hausermann, so I assume it was getting good care before I bought it. However, I did move it out of bark and into high quality sphagnum, which is my preferred growing medium, so the roots may be getting more consistent hydration.

[Ray]

The question is "how does the current culture compare to that to which it had been exposed previously?

From the looks of the plant, it is a compact variety, but the new conditions are causing leaf elongation.

[aihpcfl]

Not to belabor the point, just want to better understand. So, the elongation is the clue? If the leaf were just larger but in the right proportion, or shape, it might be a different answer?

[Roberta]

I would't worry... if it's the dwarf "minmaru" type, maybe just a litte confused. Treat it more like a cool-growing Vanda. (Calling it a "Phalaenopsis" doesn't make it grow like one, it's a lot more cold-tolerant and light-tolerant though it does like "bright shade" not harsh sun). Grows under pretty much the same conditions as Neofinetia falcata. My tags still call it Sedirea (Aerides spelled backwards) japonica, not changing them.

[LexaCat]

Thanks, Roberta. Somewhat amusingly, the Sedirea japonica sits right next to my Neofinetia falcata on the same shelf. The Neo has been a reliable bloomer for three years running, but could probably be a little more robust than it is. Perhaps I will try to upgrade the culture for both of them