Sunburn?

[TiffanyP]

Is this sunburn or possible wounds I had made when I had to pick junk from the middle during its growth?

[WhiteRabbit]

doesn't look like sunburn; could be mechanical damage from picking at it

[camille1585]

I agree, it's not sunburn at all, the plant is very healthy otherwise. New leaf tissue is very soft, so you probably did that when picking out stuff.

[Bud]

yup those are scratches on the surface of the leaves

[james mickelso]

Different type orchid but sunburned none the less.

[tim abbott]

Hey James, have you been sneaking into my yard & taking pictures...heh, heh heh.

Tim Abbott

[james mickelso]

Nah!! I just didn't check my vent holes in my GH when I cut them after the cold winter. Sun came right through and burned the cra...uh....crud out of a couple oncids. Didn't hurt much but leaves look like rot. It still flowered this year very well. Wish I could have taken a pic or 10. New growth so next fall yeehaww!!!

[james mickelso]

Uh, where do you live anyway Tim???!!! (heheheh)

[Paul Mc]

WOW!!! So that's what sunburn does. Ooooops.... I'm sorry my orchids! I just thought it was age or something.

Honestly, when I first saw the pics I thought the leaves looked spotted purple and saw purple on the edges of the leaf. Is this true? If so, could it actually be from getting really good and perhaps a bit strong light? Purple on the edges of leaves I know is good as that means its probably getting just a little above what is necessary but probably about right. Please correct me if I'm wrong guys!

[james mickelso]

It's tough to burn catts and laelias but the thinner leaves of the oncids, phals, and zygos get sunburned very quickly. They will burn and be damaged before you see anything wrong. They get kinda greenish/white and somewhat shiny but once you see that it is way too late. The purple can be cyanathicine....something like that that says "hey, I'm good" and need to be sheltered a tad more, That much light can impede flowering just as much as too little light. Plant won't flower if it is too bright because unlike us it knows the flower will just get burned and won't produce seed so why waste the energy. Heck we'll stay out there for that tan until we are cooked.