Red leaf pigmentation

[Joan]

Hi,
Can anyone tell me if a plant with red pigmentation on one of its leaves is placed in a shady area should I expect the leaf to return to a green color? If it stays red , does that indicate a virus??


Thanks .
Joan

[uncasteeb]

Depends.
Many of my Phals have very red leaves especially when the leaf is small.Very noticable on my phals with red or purple flowers.
I,m sure other orchids will show red pigmentation in the leaves if the flowers are predominately red/purple.
If it is from giving the plant to much light then it should go back to green unless the damage is severe if you reduce the light.Mind you i nearly cooked a Beallara a couple of years ago & the plant was almost completely red(including the PB's) & the colour never went back until it grew new PB,s .
More specifics would be helpful.

[Joan]

This orchid is a Otaara Hwa Yuan Bay 'She Shu'. It's leaves are dark green except for the new lead with the red pigmentation deep down at the start of its growth. I'm fearful that it has a virus. I think I removed another leaf that was black thinking it received too much sun!! Do you think I have a sick orchid??

[Diane]

Many of my cattleya alliance plants show red on new growths. This is normal and the plant should be fine. Black, however is not normal and should be cut away immediately.