shade for phals - Orchid Board

roger nutt · #1 04-26-2007, 04:00 PM

in bob gordons book culture of the phal orchid, he recomends growing phals in 1,200- 1,500fc this is 85% shade, does any body grow there phals in this shade.

Ross · #2 04-26-2007, 04:06 PM

My phals are growing in about 500FC or so. They grow and bloom just fine. I see nothing wrong with Bob's recommendations and I suspect others will join in here with higher light amounts, but I try to avoid sunburn and in my situation I either get very high light (2500-3500FCs) or very low (do to where plant is placed.) Also keep in mind the latitude where the plant will be grown. I suspect in southern Florida, for instance, 85% shade is much more than 1500 FC. It certainly is not the same percent shade as in northern latitudes (I am near 45 degrees latitude.) Hope this helps.

Tindomul · #3 04-26-2007, 04:19 PM

My Phals get that amount of light. As measured by the fact that I can barely cast a shadow over them. But in the early morning they get very strong, yet mottled sunight. And this is enough to tinge their leaves reddish.

Ross · #4 04-26-2007, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tindomul1of9

And this is enough to tinge their leaves reddish.

See, I don't like this effect with Phals. I know lots of folks do, but I like the edge of darkness where leaves are nice medium green, yet plants bloom from year to year. That's just me. Now with Brassias/Oncidiums/Encyclias/Cats/etc - that's different

I push those suckers till the edge of purple.

Tindomul · #5 04-26-2007, 04:39 PM

Well Ross, to be honest, Im still learning what best for my Phals. I don't know what the effects of this high light intensity will be on my Phals yet.

Helen · #6 04-26-2007, 04:56 PM

Tin, I'm interested in knowing if more light helps to produce more flowers on a phal. So pls keep us posted. Do all of you feel that a phal needs MORE humidity than other types? I heard 60 - 70% humidity is req'd for phals.
thanks

Tindomul · #7 04-26-2007, 05:12 PM

Well I gotta tell you that my happiest Phals are those that are inside my Vivariums where humidity is way high and lighting is still strong enough to tinge them red, just a little bit.

Shadow · #8 04-26-2007, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helen

Tin, I'm interested in knowing if more light helps to produce more flowers on a phal. So pls keep us posted. Do all of you feel that a phal needs MORE humidity than other types? I heard 60 - 70% humidity is req'd for phals.
thanks

Yes, it does help to produce more flowers. In fact, the number of flowers on my phals has almost doubled when the light intensity was increased.

Tindomul · #9 04-26-2007, 05:38 PM

That is good to know!
So that begs the question, are Phals shade plants or simply shade tolerant?

Ray · #10 04-26-2007, 06:17 PM

I believe there is a significant difference between shade loving and shade tolerance.

In the former, they will actually bloom better with lower-rather than higher light. In the latter, it's the opposite. I can also tell you that not all phals are created equal.

For example, Phal. honghensis seems to to best for me in bright conditions, while venosa likes it shadier.

I want to take this opportunity to point out a potential misunderstanding of shade. The comment that "1,200-1,500 fc is 85% shade" may be true on a cloud-free day at noon at the equator, where full sun might be in the realm of 10,000 fc, but 85% shade is likely to give me (SE PA) only a few hundred foot-candles today, because of my latitude and the season.