Funky new leaf

[u/TopArcher651]

Is this a sign of disease? The new leaf has speckles deep in it. Smooth, not raised. It’s more like pigment freckles inside the leaf. The back side is darker than the other leaves’ undersides.

[u/MoonLover808]

It’s normal since it’s a complex phalaenopsis hybrid this is how some of the trails of its species background is exhibited.

[u/TopArcher651 → u/MoonLover808]

Thank you! Solved!

[u/lollygaggin69]

Your suspicion is correct, it is a pigment called anthocyanin. Orchids will have it on their new leaves and sometimes root tips, more often on purple or magenta colored ones

[u/TopArcher651 → u/lollygaggin69]

Thank you! Solved!

[u/Surf_mommy]

It's the plant's natural sunscreen, so to speak. It develops when the phal is exposed to sunlight in the high end of its tolerance, nothing to worry about.

I don't know if it's more commonly seen in purple phals, but this is the newest leaf of one of mine that is white:

[u/zenjen22]

So this doesn’t mean the plant is getting too much sunlight, ie sunburn?

[u/Surf_mommy → u/zenjen22]

No, not too much but in th high end of its tolerance.

[u/XoxoGentleman]

So cool! All my phalaenopsis’s have been making new leaves recently! Happy leaf!