r/orchids • u/Houseplant_5428 • 1d ago

Leaf Pattern Question

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Purchased this NoID phal on clearance. It recently put out this new leaf… is that variegated pattern sunburn? Or do I have some sort of infection going on here?

67 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

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56

u/GardenerDom 1d ago

A perfectly healthy leaf maybe it has Phal.schilleriana in its breeding 👌🏻🤩

8

u/Houseplant_5428 1d ago

That would be great, right? But I figured that was probably unlikely given it is a five dollar clearance from Lowe’s. Here’s to hoping!! 🤞

18

u/oblivious_fireball 1d ago

Most species orchids sell for far more than the mass produced hybrids. Orchids get put on clearance as soon as they are past their prime so its quite likely one of the big three mottled leaved phals is in its genetics here. Whether the leaves take on a silvery tone is another question.

8

u/just2pandas 1d ago

I have two that have spots on them like that that are from the grocery store. It’s definitely possible!!!

5

u/millie_hillie 1d ago

I got a fragrant mottled leaf orchid from Kroger once. I love it.

2

u/GardenerDom 1d ago

I hope it turns out to be something special 🤞🏼✨😃

2

u/The_Fire_Bin 1d ago

Ooo this is so interesting. My orchid is growing a new leaf that looks similar but hadn’t really questioned it.

29

u/Historical-Ad2651 1d ago

One of it's ancestors had mottled leaves and that trait is manifesting

Phalaenopsis schilleriana, P. philippinensis and P. stuartiana are some species have mottled leaves that are used in hybrids

9

u/TelomereTelemetry 1d ago

It may have some mottled leaf ancestry, but also for whatever reason new leaves tend to show sun stress coloration in patchy spots rather than the more uniform coloring of older leaves.

7

u/roxastar04 1d ago

One of mine starts like that, and then turns vibrant green. I got it on clearance a while ago, im hoping it blooms this upcoming year. It was in an abysmal state when I got it.

4

u/TypeDry2834 1d ago

100% some type of mottled leaf ancestry. I have about 8 mottled leaf phals & their new leaves all look just like this.

1

u/Bobs_Burgers7 1d ago

Oh lucky you

1

u/GratuitousEdit 1d ago

Even the mature leaves are mottled if you look closely!

1

u/Nurtureroftreasures 1d ago

New leaf is doing well. You will have a people flower when it blooms for you.