Cattleya Leaf Discoloration.

[Gthumbz89]

Hello All!! I have been having problems with my cattleya leaves lately . I don't know if it is sunburn, fungus or rot. A couple of months ago I moved my super bright LED light closer to the plants, and I see there are some purple tinges to the leaves. Could this yellowing be Sunburn???

Sorry for the blurry photos. If necessary I can get my dad's camera instead of using my ancient cell phone.

Thanks,

Collin.

[orchids44]

Yes, the leaves look like they're getting too much light, especially the yellowish one.

[Gthumbz89]

Originally Posted by orchids44

Yes, the leaves look like they're getting too much light, especially the yellowish one.

Here are some better pictures with my dad's camera. I want to say that those spots are anthocyanin purple freckles from light because I religiously spray with physan 20, but it is possible that I am wrong.

Those are some old leaves. By now they are over a year old with the exception of the severely freckled one.

With these pictures what do you all think??

[Gthumbz89]

Oops I forgot to post another pic of the freckles.

Here it is plus some pictures of another mini-catt that I have been having issues with the leaves.

[Hiester]

Hmmm... I dunno. That yellowing leaf doesn't quite look like typical sunburn to me. How old is that leaf? Could this be normal abscission of an old leaf? If not, there might be another cause.

[HighSeas]

Really can't tell by these pics. Any chance of getting a shot of the whole plant?

[james mickelso]

Leaves yellow for different reasons. That may be due to high light levels. That may be due to a viral attak. In the second picture, although it is very poor quality, the spots I see could be one of many fungal types. Guignardia starts with small spots which coalesce into larger areas. Clearer pictures would help. I've had cattleyas and laelias which showed discoloration of the leaves which were mere discoloration and then had the same thing happen and the leaf eventually turned completely yellow and then dried up and fell off. I had leaves which yellowed and then the yellowing went right down the pbulb, and then attacked the rest of the plant. Many different types of conditions all starting with the same appearance.

[HighSeas]

If you're sure you haven't watered your plants with softened water, I'd first try giving it some Cal-Mag. I noticed in one picture that many of the leaf tips have been snipped off. Watering with cold water will also have this type of effect.

The "freckles"....are they a rust color? If so, treat for mites. I sure hope that helps....but if not please do come back and lets all have another look at it. Good luck!

[Gthumbz89]

[/COLOR]

Originally Posted by HighSeas

If you're sure you haven't watered your plants with softened water, I'd first try giving it some Cal-Mag. I noticed in one picture that many of the leaf tips have been snipped off. Watering with cold water will also have this type of effect.

The "freckles"....are they a rust color? If so, treat for mites. I sure hope that helps....but if not please do come back and lets all have another look at it. Good luck!

It is possible that I watered with softened water because I was buying bottled water to use on the plants while I was fixing my RO unit. What does softened water do to the leaves?

The spots are a very dark purple, perhaps a bit on the black side.

I fertilize with micronutrients that have Cal-Mg in it as well as a micronutrient feed weekly weakly.

Does cold water cause dead leaf tips as well?? I did water with slightly chilled bottled water once... I hope that wasn't it.... That was foolish of me if so.



---------- Post added at 01:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:24 PM ----------

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

It's a bit too bright. I recommend putting the lights back up to where it was before.

I don't know if it's me or not, but the pot seems to have very little potting media in it.

Yes, I moved the lights allot farther up and the leaves look slightly better. However, they are still bleached at the tips. That one cat does have very little media, but I make up for it by watering more often.

---------- Post added at 01:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:31 PM ----------

Would softened water or cold water cause bud blast as well? Just curious, the plant in the picture had bud blast also.

Thanks everyone.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

It's a bit too bright. I recommend putting the lights back up to where it was before.

I don't know if it's me or not, but the pot seems to have very little potting media in it.