Phalaenopsis Leaves Changing Colour

[MiaNik]

Hello Everyone,

I got a new moth Orchid around a week ago, and in the last couple of days the leaves have changed colour drastically. Please see the attached pictures. Can you please advise me with what to do?

[Bill U.]

Hi MiaNik, welcome to OB!

First of all, when you first purchased it, what color were the leaves? Uniformly green? Is the change in color the yellow-brown color that is coming across in the pictures?

Without this info, I can only make some preliminary guesses- it seems to me that the orchid may be in too high of light, to say, that it may not have had adequate time to transition from a relatively dark store environment to your grow space. I also note that the roots look extremely dry. It seems as if it could use a good watering. If this is the case, then the weakness of the plant from trying to absorb water from the tissues will make it more prone to mechanical damage (bruising, blemishes, cracking or breaking) in addition to sun-burn damage.

If you give us a little more information about your grow space, then we should be able to help you diagnose your problem a little bit better.

[bil]

I don't like the way that the colour change is coming from the bases of the leaves. I would expect light damage to be where light strikes, and I don't see light hitting the lower leaf on the right. It might be nothing, and without seeing it close up in the flesh, it's hard to say. My big worry would be crown rot or something similar.

Has it been allowed to get too cold?

[MiaNik]

Hello and thank you both for your answers.

Yes, when I bought the orchid the leaves were lovely and green without any marks on them. The yellow-red tinting is what worries me. Originally I had it placed on a dining table in front of a balcony door, this door never opens and it never gets exposed to direct sunlight but it's nice and bright. The flower is in bloom and when it was at this location i had 2 buds opening in a matter of days. Since the leaves starting changing colour I have moved the orchid further away from the balcony.

When it comes to the temperature of our place, it is kept at constant 20-21 degrees Celsius During the day, and couple of degrees lower at night.

Are there any other photos you would like me to provide that may help you?

[Subrosa]

Not sure of the cause of the color change, both of the causes seem possible from the pics, but that orchid needs a good watering yesterday.

[NYCorchidman]

I was thinking two things upon seeing the pics, too much light or disease setting in.
Since you cleared out the too much light factor, it's probably the bad news.
Give some time and see what happens.
I'm curious, although not too optimistic.

If you have other orchids, then keep this one away or at least do not mist or splash water from this plant onto others.

Good luck!

[dangerouseddy]

could it be a magnesium deficiency? I know that causes red leaves when orchids are cold. probably not that though.

[NYCorchidman]

No, Mg deficiency usually shows up as yellowing of the leaves except for the veins although severe case might accompany reddish brown marks.

For newly bought plants, it is highly unlikely that there will be any deficiency as they are generally heavily fertilized.
I once grew my orchids for one year without any fertilizing and none showed any signs of deficiency.
It is that uncommon.

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

No, Mg deficiency usually shows up as yellowing of the leaves except for the veins although severe case might accompany reddish brown marks.

For newly bought plants, it is highly unlikely that there will be any deficiency as they are generally heavily fertilized.
I once grew my orchids for one year without any fertilizing and none showed any signs of deficiency.
It is that uncommon.

Did you grow any catts?

[Orchidgirl83]

Are the reddish spots soft or squishy?