Is this normal?

[jay]

I have two plants that I am a little confused with their behavior. Both are in S/H.

The first photo is a Noid Phal. Is it normal to start a second leaf if the first one hasn't really finished growing?

The second photo is of a Noid Catt. that I got over the summer from Lowe's. It started a new growth while I wasn't paying attention. I have it under supplemental LED light. I know that the leaves can get some red if they are getting close the maximum light levels, but this is spotted. One possibility could be do to the array of the red and blue color LED's. Just want to make sure that it is not something else problematic.

Thanks for looking.



Jay

[snowballsarebad]

I have no idea about the catt, but...
The phal...one of mine did something similar after I purchased it. All leaves prior to purchasing are about 6-7 inches. The next leave that came out...is only about 3 inches. The next, which is still growing, is probably 5-6, and I also thought that it was growing before the other was even nearly finished. I chalked it up to getting used to the new environment. Your little leaf might be fully grown! Did you recently repot into s/h? If so, it might just be adapting. It might look a little funny, but I don't think it's too much to worry about, unless your plant seems dehydrated.

[kmarch]

Jay,

I have seen what you describe with your Phal in some of my Paphs from time to time. In some instances the plant declines and in others the next leaf is normal while the first leaf ends up being stunted. I haven't determined exactly what the cause is but with my Paphs I suspect it is related to a dramatic change in conditions as the new leaf growth is being initiated.

Re: your Cattleya, is it a speckled or spotted Catt? I have had speckled and spotted Catts (they're my favorite) that have these mottled leaves. As the leaves mature they turn a normal green.

-K

[digitalgate]

i hate to break the bad new to you. I suspect your roots for your Phalaenopsis is already
rotted. Check your roots. I am alway wrong so...

[phalaephila]

I had a phal. that did what yours is doing every year after blooming. Both leaves eventually grew to full size.

I have no idea about the catt.

jeanne

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by phalaephila

I had a phal. that did what yours is doing every year after blooming. Both leaves eventually grew to full size.

This is really quirky and interesting. Sometimes orchids do really eccentric things don't they. Reminds me a little of people: wonderful, different, and sometimes puzzling and eccentric.

[jay]

Kmarch, I really don't know what kind of Catt i have. I got it out of bloom. None of the other growths came in like that. Since I got it in July it put out 3 finished growing out 3 other growths and then just threw this one out a couple of weeks ago. I have never seen the flower on this. This new growth does have a small sheath in there so I am hopeful.


On the phal, I will check the roots, and it has gone to S/H recently after it finished its last bloom cycle. I will let you know what happens with that.

Jay

[kmarch]

I'd be almost willing to bet money that you have a speckled catt of some sort. I can't wait to see it bloom to see if I'm right. LOL it's a bit like waiting for Christmas to open that fun looking package under the tree.

[greg_s]

Jay,

I grow some of my orchids with LED lights as well. The arrays can cause a slightly uneven color on the leaves but it would not cause anything that drastic. Do the spots have a different texture or firmness than the rest of the leaf? If not, I would say that Kmarch may be right and that the color may even out in time.

You'll have to let us know what happens.

Greg

[jay]

No difference in the texture of the leaf. The last 3 growths did not come in like that, is that common on this type of Catt? I can't wait to see the flower as this will be my first Catt to bloom in my care.

Jay

[kmarch]

If it is a speckled catt, then yes, the spotted leaves are fairly common. I have one in a similar state at the moment. Not as pronounced as yours but more or less similar.

[jerrymeola]

Your Cattleya looks like excessive light or minor root damage (from movement in the s/h). I get many plants like this and ignore it. Future leaves usually are normal (even without changing the light level) and it is not a disease that will spread,

I get it on non-speckled cats as well.

[jay]

It is not a recent move into S/H but have recently added the LED supplemental lighting. I will monitor it and make sure that I don't burn it.

Jay

[sandra]

Jay, I think your Catt is going to produce spotted flowers. I've noticed on my spotted Catts that their leaves are often spotted as well, very blotchy, similar to your pic. I will be looking out for a pic from you when it's bloomed. It's going to be gorgeous!

I also have a Phal. that grew another leaf before the preceding one was fully grown. The leaves ended up eventurally growing larger. The only time I notice a stall in growth is when I do a re-pot or when spikes are beginning. Did you check yours? You may have a surprise waiting...

[joan gero]

Jay, I just inherited a very neglected phal from my mother-in-law after her death... it probably hadn't been watered in several months as her illness progressed. The minute I watered it, one leaf and then a second appeared! Both are now small in comparison with the previous 6 or 7 normal leaves... I'm eager to see if they all average out or not. I like to think of it as floral gratitude!?!!?

[jay]

So I was worried that I might have a bunch of dead roots on that phal, so I carefully started to remove the top layer of LECA. The good news is that I didn't have to go very far to see a nice surprise. It is growing roots like it is trying to win a contest.

I love S/H. I have had this kind of response to all of my orchids going into the LECA. I love seeing the root growth happen right before your eyes.

Jay

[kmarch]

Wow! Those new roots are fantastic! You've really hit on something that is working wonderfully in your conditions!

[jay]

Thanks Kmarch!

It seems that my orchids really like the S/H in my very dry area. It has helped keep the relative humidity up and they don't seem to dehydrate on me like they did before.

I know that there are people who have not had as much luck, but as you said, it has worked in my conditions.

Jay

[LTerrieM]

I have recently learned that bugs can thrive on weak plants, the Phale looks good but dry leaf tip are a concern. The other amost looks like some kind of infestation.
Examined under leaves or roots?
T.

[janice]

jay. I went to S/H about a year ago and I love it..................I tended to be an overwaterer and my orchids due to weather have to be moved inside during the winter - I have been amazed at the growth I have gotten since repotting.

[jay]

LTerrieM, I am not sure what you are talking about in the picture. You said to worry about the dry leaf tips. The edges are a slight purple, but they are not dry.
As for the Catt, it does not have any bugs at this time. I have looked over with a magnifying glass to make sure.

Janice, I truly love the S/H. I couldn't keep mine wet enough because they would dry out so fast with the extremely dry air here. By keeping them in the S/H it also raises the relative humidity from the evaporation over the LECA. And the last bonus is that there is some evaporative cooling effects, which is nice since my summers tend to hit 125F outside and 80F + inside.



Jay