Originally Posted by
Dorsetman
Chlorophyll occurs in Phalaenopsis roots - probably one stage in its production happens there- which by the way does not mean that they must be grown in trasparent pots to allow light to get to them - the chlorophyll cannot actually do anything in roots,I won't go any further about why not, just at present, but will explain if so asked.
But there are actually two forms of chlorophyll ; one is red, the other is green. Most plants have a mixture of both , and differences in the colour of leaves is due to different proportions in the mixture. Plants turn red with excess light, because the red form of chlorophyll is being favoured.
Here in UK by the way we have some red leaved trees - Copper Beech for example, and I have an ornamental apple ( Malus something or other) outside my front door, with very dark red, almost black leaves. I guess the green form of chlorophyll hardly exists in them.