Dark leaves on phalaenopsis

[Nancy]

I have a number of phalaenopsis plants with the medium green color. I have four that have very dark leaves. I imagine this pertains to the color of the flowers. Three of these plants have "floppy" leaves. That is, the leaves turn down on the ends and are kind of thin. I was wondering if these plants require more light than my other phals or if this is the nature of certain breeding patterns to produce soft, dark leaves. The leaves, particularly the newest ones are held up. I don't think this is a root system problem or a lack of water problem. Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[brookn]

Floppy leaves could be a sign of too much or too little water. If the new leaves are growing in and are more stiff I would say that the problem happened before you got the plants. Once the leaves get droopy from too much or too little water, they sometimes stay that way. Many phals are abused terribly before we ever get them home, and it can take literally months for them to fully recover. In my collection of phals, the color of the leaves varies from very light to dark, and they are all together in the same spot putting out new roots and leaves. I find that if they have violaccea in the parentage the leaves are fairly light, and the ones that I am fairly certain have gigantea in them have darker leaves. Of course this is my observation, and someone else may completely disagree. Parentage of course is a big factor in what your leaves are doing, and culture is also.

[mayres]

I agree that genetics has a lot to do with the color - in general the amount of light is also a significant factor. If they are a deep dark green they are "usually" not getting as much light as they require.

[brookn]

Mike, I forgot to add that about the light and the color oops. Thanks for the backup lol.

[Nancy]

I guess certain genetic combinations can need more light than others. I thought the droopiness might pertain to light too. Anyway, I'll give them a little more and see if that helps. I'll also pull back on the watering a little.

[mayres]

My experience with the drooping seems to indicate - at least to a degree - that good root systems with proper watering intervals = thick turgid leaves. Either over OR under watering, which may or may not be coupled with poor root systems, also caused by inadequate or over adequate watering, also will give droopy leaves.

[Nancy]

Two of these phals came from Home Depot and were originally planted in spgnum moss. I don't think the transition went all that well when they were potted in bark. I could have made mistakes in watering them. I don't think so with my Harlequin phal. Can a leaf become too large and too heavy to continue to be "held up"? None of the leaves on these plants are lying on the edge of the pot threatening to turn yellow. I think I'll just move them around to see if I can make them happier.

[justloveorchids]

I have two Phalenopsis that have very dark green leaves
No idea what colour the flowers are yet though because they are the last of my rescue orchids to show signs of throwing a flower stem .........i have 7 that are all throwing a stem so eagerly awaiting the resulting flowers

[Nancy]

Congratulations. I only have two, but I am still very proud. One is a rebloom that I've already seen and the other was out of bloom when I got it. I can't wait either!

[mayres]

Flower color does seem to be tied into the genetics that affects the leaf color to some degree - not all, but some. In general plants I have that are pink, yellow, or white flowered tend to be lighter and dark purple or red flowers tend to have slightly darker leaves. Sounds like we should have lots of flower pics to admire in a few months - look forward to seeing them!