Purple Leaves - Orchid Board

floradude · #1 03-29-2011, 04:17 PM

Does purple leaves on a rhynchostylis indicate too much light?

Zoi2 · #2 03-29-2011, 06:25 PM

I would say yes the plant is getting a bit more sun than it needs if the leaves are purple. Can you post a picture of it?
Joann

floradude · #3 03-29-2011, 06:36 PM

Sorry, but I have never mastered posting a picture.

Zoi2 · #4 03-29-2011, 06:43 PM

Here's a link to help with posting pictures.
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...chidboard.html
Joann

Junebug · #5 03-29-2011, 08:19 PM

I have a Rhyncostylis Red and when then new leaves pop out they are red. The mature leaves are striped and mostly green but their edges have a red tinge. When it sprouted keikis they were red too, but they 've greened up as they mature.

I grow my plant in bright indirect dappled sunlight. It's over 10 years old and very healthy, so I don't think the redness is problematic.

floradude · #6 03-30-2011, 08:26 PM

The plant in question is Rhynchostylis Gigantea 'Burgundy Wine' I purchased it in Jan. 2010. It bloomed 2/14/10 and 8/12/10. The new leaves are dark purple top and bottom. Older leaves have some green veining and more green on the underside, but still a lot of purple mostly purple.

Junebug · #7 03-31-2011, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floradude

The plant in question is Rhynchostylis Gigantea 'Burgundy Wine' I purchased it in Jan. 2010. It bloomed 2/14/10 and 8/12/10. The new leaves are dark purple top and bottom. Older leaves have some green veining and more green on the underside, but still a lot of purple mostly purple.

I wouldn't worry about it as long as the leaves are firm with no signs of dehydration. The new growths on my plant always look red but they green up as they mature. Also, don't be concerned if your plant looses one or two base leaves each year. This routinely happens as the plant grows new leaves and as new big roots emerge. Every season the roots get fatter...so fat, in fact, that they dislodge the base leaves causing them to yellow and drop from the plant.

For example I've included a couple of photos of my Rhycostylis showing normal red growth.

nenella · #8 03-31-2011, 05:29 PM

Interesting post!
I too would have been worried about a few really red leaves like that.
I now will know better ;If I ever get
a 'red' Rhynchostylis!

floradude · #9 03-31-2011, 05:35 PM

Thank you June Bug.
Your plant is green. My smaller plant is purple (not red) with only little green on older leaves. The plant is healthy so I am not going to worry.