Question on phals

[Rita-mo]

I know this has probably been discussed before, but please refresh my memory. I have several phals growing in an east window, that have a purple hue to the top leaves,am I giving them too much sun or what?
Rita

[jerrymeola]

No, but you are probably reaching the limit on light. Purple leaves is an indication of an acceptable level of damage to the leaves. Think of it as a suntan preceeding a sunburn.

You can also get purple coloration when the plant has been damaged by cold as well as by heat. Again the damage is acceptable, in fact I have one cattleya the has had the purple begin fading over the last month, where half is now gone. A burnth leaf never grows back in the damaged area.

[bschip]

Originally Posted by jerrymeola

No, but you are probably reaching the limit on light. Purple leaves is an indication of an acceptable level of damage to the leaves. Think of it as a suntan preceeding a sunburn.

You can also get purple coloration when the plant has been damaged by cold as well as by heat. Again the damage is acceptable, in fact I have one cattleya the has had the purple begin fading over the last month, where half is now gone. A burnth leaf never grows back in the damaged area.

I have a phal that the whole back of one leaf is purple yet it seems to be very healthy.......I read some where that a phal with purple is a darker colored flower......could this be true? here's a pic....and why is it only on the back of one leaf?

[orchidaddict789]

One of my phals, receiving very bright light (even some morning sun) has a young leaf that looks exactly like that. Maybe it's because it's a newer leaf (the older ones are green on the back), and maybe it's because it receives lots of light. I think it's just adjusting to higher light level because in the past it's been in a darker place. I'm monitoring it closely and it looks happier now, growing two leaves this year...but...to be safe, it's best to minimize light just a little bit.