Catt hybrid leaf colors - Orchid Board

vmax3000 · #1 07-02-2012, 12:33 PM

The objective is a lighter green color, right? However, I have some catt hybrids (Blc, Lc, etc.) that tend to have very dark green leaves, even with a pretty intense exposure to sun. A couple receive a short period of direct sunlight on my back porch (summering out doors). I watch them carefully. All of them, dark and light, have new growths, and none seem to be displaying the reddening of the leaves (well, the Rhyncholaelia digbyana is getting a tinge of red along the leaf edges). Please fill me in on the small details, fellow catt lovers! Thanks.

Gage · #2 07-02-2012, 01:13 PM

You mentioned getting direct sun briefly, but having enough light depends on all light received throughout the day. What kind of light are they getting throughout the day? For example: direct sun from 8-11am, dappled light from 11am-3pm, direct sun from 3pm-7pm.

That said, some Catts will have enough light to bloom even though it isn't enough light to make the leaves light green, and some will never be light green no matter how much light you give them. But many Catts do follow the "rule" of light green leaves = enough light to bloom. The general rule of thumb is to give them the most they can take without burning, unless they actually need shade in order to bloom (not the norm).

Magnus A · #3 07-02-2012, 01:58 PM

As gage mentioned above not all cattleya turn light green when exposed to high light. I find the ones that get reddish or purple spots stay much darker green then the ones not producing the red pigment.

For example I have a Cattleya maxima out in the sun on my balcony that stays green but my Cattleya intermedia stands inside a 3 layer insulated window and turn almost yellow in light that do not burn Phal. NoId´s.

vmax3000 · #4 07-02-2012, 02:27 PM

On the sunshine situation, it's more of a dappled sun from around noon to around 5 pm, when the sun dips below the tree thicket behind the house (a green space that leads down to a creek). The orchids get indirect lighting all morning and post 5 pm. My Blc. Keowee "Wings of Fire" has set a bud. Lc. El Cerrito looks a little desiccated, at present, but it has two strong growths emerging. I was out of town this last weekend, so I didn't get to observe, and it was hot and muggy all weekend (triple digits and ~50% + humidity). I recently acquired (or, more correctly, was given) an Epicattleya hybrid that I know very little about. It was tossed into a trade deal, b/c it may have worn out it's welcome with the former owner, I honestly don't know. It looks a little haggard, but it's looked that way since I brought it home early last year. It's setting new growths, so....

james mickelso · #5 07-03-2012, 01:41 AM

My C. Resplendens and schilleriana have darker green leaves with a slight red coloration in them. This is normal and doesn't change no matter how much light they get. And my intermedia are very light green/yellow. My Rechara are very light green in full sun. It all depends on the species and variety. I hold with the maxim that you give the orchid all the light you can give it. The leaf temp is the key. If it gets too warm just put a fan on them and they will cool down.

isurus79 · #6 07-03-2012, 10:54 AM

Vmax,
I live here in Austin, so I definitely know that dappled sun from noon to five is great light for your Catts. As mentioned ealier, not all orchids get light green leaves. However, for the darker leaved varieties, they will often get red/purple tinges on sides and undersides of the leaves. This is especially true of newer growth that has not had a chance to harden off yet. If you see such coloration, then it is getting the perfect amount of sun. Epicatts are also pretty well known for liking strong sun (this is a generalization, but usually true), so I doubt its getting 'too much.'

If I may ask, what part of central Texas do you live in?

vmax3000 · #7 07-03-2012, 11:45 AM

Thanks to all.

The temperature locally has come down a bit (below 100) and it looks like we may get a little rain.

The orchids in the yard (summering in the Hamptons?!?) looked good for the most part.

Steve, I live up north of you in Waco. I have traveled down to help Geoff F. with the HOTOS show (not this year, as it was my first year of teaching chemistry full time at Baylor University & it pretty much ate any free/social time I had). I may have even met you, before!

isurus79 · #8 07-03-2012, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vmax3000

Steve, I live up north of you in Waco. I have traveled down to help Geoff F. with the HOTOS show (not this year, as it was my first year of teaching chemistry full time at Baylor University & it pretty much ate any free/social time I had). I may have even met you, before!

It's possible! I've only been a member here at HOTOS for a year and half though. You should come down for the next greenhouse tour! Its really amazing to see the member's growing conditions and the solutions they've devised to keep their orchids happy here in Texas.