Is This Good or Bad?

[Nancy]

I have three minicats, each with a new growth coming. The growths are a very dark reddish purple, even thought the plant leaves and pbs are green. Does this mean they are getting too much light? They seem to be growing fine so far. I'm just trying to give them what is optimal. Thanks for the help.

[sandra]

Nancy, I've noticed that when new growth starts, the psbulbs do take on a red/purple tinge...no matter how much light they're in. As they grow, they should begin to change and become uniform in color with the rest of your plant. If not, I believe it's a sign of either too much or too little light (not sure which) but as they're growing reddish/purple is normal.

[Tobi]

Several of my Catts. have a slight reddish/purple coloration when the new growth starts. They become more green as they grow as Sandra stated.

[mayres]

I have a really nice one that WAS totally green. After sitting underneath my T5 fluorescent lights for a few weeks it is now mostly RED. Hmmmm. Other than the visual difference I am hoping it is still OK. mike

[kmarch]

It's different from plant to plant and it's all normal. Often a darlkly pigmented Catt or one that that spots will also have a lot of pigment in the new shoots. I have a red one and a spotted one that have reddish/maroon shoots, my yellow and my white one and my species Laelia all have pure green shoots.

[Nancy]

I think it has to do both with the amount of light and the color of the flower. My SLC Tangerine Imp started off witha reddish purple growth and now it's more green. My SLC red Dlight is just starting two growths which are the color of hot pink. I think both reddish effects on the new growths were caused by the supplemental lighting my husband put in. I'm not going to worry about it. I'm hoping it will make the color of the flowers more intense when they bloom. If not, I can always chalk it up to a learning experience. Thanks for the replies.