How Red is too red on the leaves?

[ChasWG]

So after looking a picture I posted here back on may 1st of my Neostylis Lou Sneary 'Bluebird' and then looking at the plant today, I'm thinking it's getting too much light now with the addition of a new T5, duel bulb fixture I put into the orchid enclosure. But then again, I don't know. The light meter reads out an average of 1200 FC at the top leaf for about 13 hours a day.

Before that the plant has some red patches, but now the top leaf and the new one forming are really red/purple. In a recent trip to a local orchid grower I saw an example of this Neo that was 10 years old and it had no red coloration on it.

10 days ago:


Today:


Now the up side is that, yes there is a new leaf forming and root growth is in full production. I counted a total of 5 new roots today.

So, should I back it out of the heavily lighted area? I can back it way down on total FC recieved. Is this a normal thing for this plant or am I smoking it?

[Ross]

I would say you are fine. I don't have this cross, but my Neo under lights looks like this. They can take some pretty strong light. I also think that as the plant gets accustomed to the higher light, it will back off on the redness. Just my opinion.

[weiss]

A better approach would have been to place the plant farther away from the new lights or limit the 13 hours to say 8 for starters. Keep this setup for 2-3 weeks, and then move it up.

[justatypn]

I would not be to overly concerned, it apparently likes what is happening in it's growing life, new leaf good sign. I have other genre's that are as redish if not more and they are doin' fine with 12 hours of artificial lighting

[camille1585]

Looks fine! What I also noticed is that recent leaves or ones that are growing seem more likely to turn red under light. Once they mature they seem to lose the red a bit.

[ChasWG]

Thanks folks! I know radical changes in light are not good, so I haven't moved it yet. I think I'll keep it where it is. The leaves are not "hot" to the touch at all so that's good too. Also, another orchid I have near it is my mounted Brassavola cordata. And while it was turning a very dark reddish color as well, it is now returning to it's pretty medium green. I guess maybe it's getting used to the light levels.

Thanks for the help all!

[Becky15349]

No you are totally fine - this is just what plant leaves do when they are moved from lower light to higher light. They definitely aren't burning or anything - they will be grateful for all the light they can get!! You should get good blooming with this type of light intensity for sure.

[ChasWG]

I hope so Becky. That little Neo. is so wonderful when it blooms! And the smell is out of this world.

Is it next year yet? I can't wait...

[Angurek]

I have a Vanda seedling that's doing the same thing. Mine seems to be growing normally, so I don't think the red is any cause for concern.

[LinhT]

If I remember correctly from your other threads, it's in an enclosed evironment where temps are in the 80 - 90's for most of the day, right?

If this was a straight species neo and you have it in 1200 fc of light for 13 hours in 90F all day, I'm pretty sure it will eventually get really P.O.ed. Once that happens they can take several years to recover if they don't croak right away.

Since this is a hybrid, perhaps the other parent makes it more tolerant. Also, I think you said your humidity is extremely high in there so maybe it's ok. and keep us posted.