Phal with dark green /red leaves

[SusanLee]

the upper side of the leaf is dark green, the underside is dark purple-red, uniformly across the entire length of each leaf. New leaves have this same coloration. It appears to be healthy, leaves are firm and it has healthy growing roots. Any thoughts as to what type of phalaenopsis it might be? Any thoughts or comments are welcome. I do not know how to upload a photo of the orchid.

[78Terp]

Hello from Colorado!


Photos can be no larger than 700 pixels on the largest side. I use photobucket dot com to resize and then under the Picture Frame icon is the attachment tool.

Hope this helps.

I have several phals that have the same leaf coloration.

[raybark]

Reddish leaf coloration often indicates that the plant will bloom in the pink/purple color palette.

[ksriramkumar]

Could be quite normal for some the Phals. sharing a picture would help.

[SusanLee]

do you have any info about caring for this type of phal? I would be interested if you do. I'll try to attach a pic soon. Thanks

[78Terp]

I think it would be like any other Phalaenopsis.

Water when the roots are whitish in color or dry. When you water, if you can see the roots, healthy roots will turn green. Healthy air roots also change color when wet, also turn green. If the roots have been dry for an abnormally long time, you may have to soak the pots and roots for them to absorb water and turn green again.

They like more light than what you have been likely led to believe. Phals can take early morning and late afternoon direct sunlight. Between 10 and 4 pm, not direct sun but bright shade is fine. They like day time temps of 80 F and night time temps of 60 F. +/- 5 F. Though they can tolerate higher temps than 85 F but recommend air movement (fan) above that temp. The day time/ night time temp difference is what will trigger the phal to bloom. That is a very important part of the flowering cycle.

[Catt Mandu]

I have a pure white Phalaenopsis with this coloration.
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[SusanLee]

Thanks 78Terp.

I've come to realize how important orchid roots are and how different their care is from terrestrial plants. They get very bright light so the roots can photosynthesize. Based only on its dark leaves, this particular phal gets the brightest light (closest to the window). It was pretty dessicated when I found it so has taken some time to recover (orchids do things soooo slowly!). Now it has a few good roots and has grown another new leaf. All my orchids (all but one are phals) definitely have a day/night temp difference as I turn the heat off at night. I've had it since summer 2014 but it has yet to bloom. Any thoughts? I use a dilute solution of 30-10-10 fertilizer and have just started using 15-30-15, once a week.

[78Terp]

I turn the heat off at night as well. How much of a change do your phal s get? I warm to 77F during the day and try to get to 60 at night. I have numerous phals spiking.

[SusanLee]

70 during day when home, 65 when gone, temp drops @ nite to anywhere from 58 to 62 or so, depending on season. I have some with spikes now, too. I usually buy orchids on sale so they're sickly. Dessicated ones seem easier to get healthy, waterlogged ones are hopeless.