Leaf color of vanda?

[Daemos]

OMG you guys got me started!!! My second vanda is underway but something strange is happening in the meanwhile to my sansai blue.

I am now growing it straight next to a 125 Watt growlamp and the leaves are turning darker. Thats odd, I thought that they should turn lightgreen like an apple instead of darkgreen?? Or am I getting paranoia.
I am not burning the poor thingy am I? It gets natural sunlight as well + the light from the huge growlamp.
Pictures are useless since the plant has a different color when I take pictures. My camera isn't so realistic

Anyway can someone plz info me in detail what I can be expecting. I know I am getting enough light. What I don't know is what will happen next. Sorry for bothering you guys so much with beginner questions but I promise that these vanda's will flower magnificently and you will expect lots of then.

[Ocelaris]

Mine get purple spots when they have too much light... if it gets waaayyy too much light in will fold in it's leaves so that it does not absorb as much light (as it can not adequetly fill it's water reserves at the rate of transpiration).

[Jo Ann]

Here is two I’ve had growing outside all winter I just took the pics yesterday so I could record the amount of growth as you can see mine are pretty sun burned but I’ve also noticed that you can see green growth marks and they are both putting out new roots. I’ve been keeping an eye that the purple doesn’t turn to brown burn marks. I too dont know what to expect next...

[Ocelaris]

Your leaves don't seem to be folding in very much Jo Ann... so to me they look great, mine turn purple only slightly in some areas, and seem to turn their leaves in... so you must be doing something right! Ahhh to live in a tropical place must be great!

[Daemos]

Thnx for the response ppl. I am seeing these purple areas as well. But not so heavily as on these foto's. I moved the light further away. 10" and see what will happen next. I managed to take a good pic. New probs are arising now with the roots. Man I am such an beginner!!

Please tell me this plant looks healthy or dying since I really have no idea how healthy or dying vanda's look like (this is the first real one ive seen in my life).

[Angurek]

Your plant looks just fine...

My vandas get that strange purple color on them when I first put them outside. After a few days, it just fades a way and the leaves look light green again. I guess it has something to do with light exposure (similar to what happens with some other orchid genera when exposed to bright light).

[Daemos]

Thank you. I geuss I am just getting paranoia from this point. If this plant dies. Ill have to wait a long time for a new one. I have no room for failure

[Ocelaris]

just watch the roots, that's the key, if you're seeing good root growth, things are on the up and up. plump large succulent roots = good, skinny hard dry roots with cracks = bad.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Ocelaris

just watch the roots, that's the key, if you're seeing good root growth, things are on the up and up. plump large succulent roots = good, skinny hard dry roots with cracks = bad.

I'll just bet if you keep them humid (as in spraying often) they won't crack

[Daemos]

Good point. Started spraying from yesterday on and the plant starts too look healthier allready.

Leaf color is getting better and better. I think I am simply too impatient. Somehow all my other plants tell me about their problems much quicker then vanda's

Guess I still have to work on the relationship