Snow's affect on orchids

[krystle]

pilot sounds like a good question i live in colorado but havent experienced the same thing. i have catts and dens so they can handle the bright light! i also have a phal in a east facing window and havent seen any issues. but i think it could be possible for that to happen sun reflecting of snow is very bright and blinding so i would think its the issue!

[BobInBonita]

You said they had darkening.

That just doesn't sound like high light exposure to me. Mine usually bleach out when they get sunburned.

If they need more light they turn darker, but that's much more gradual than sunburn.

How dark are they? Do you have pics?

Cold damage can cause darkening or lack or turgor (limpness) also. Have you had any unusual cold blasts?

[Paul Mc]

Oh wow, this is very true. I didn't even stop to think about that since the question was more focused on the snow being able to affect the growth patterns. Good eye BobInBonita!

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by BobInBonita

You said they had darkening.

That just doesn't sound like high light exposure to me. Mine usually bleach out when they get sunburned.

If they need more light they turn darker, but that's much more gradual than sunburn.

How dark are they? Do you have pics?

Cold damage can cause darkening or lack or turgor (limpness) also. Have you had any unusual cold blasts?

Well its not darker as in its not enough light, its discoloration due to some sort of damage on the surface of the leaf. Also, no cold blasts... its a sunroom! And the doors have been sealed for the Winter. My idea that it was light damage is because the edges of the leaves have suffered the same kind damage other (sad to admit it) sun damaged phals have suffered-- you know, that thinning of the leaf edge, yellowing (bleached out) and then the flesh turn dark brown (but dry, not like a fungus or bacteria). The extent of the damage isn't great-- if I weren't so particular and doting over my plant's, no one would ever know its there.

Anyway, I measured the light in the room using my camera and with a snow pack on the ground at 1PM, the light level near the orchid area is up over 50% more than usual (pushing 3000 fc as apposed to 1700-2000fcs). I've backed the schill away from the window and have not seen any progression of issue.

I love Winter, but really, I like my plants to grow really well which they normally do! So, I guess Spring can come now!

[Bayard]

With snow on the ground outside my greenhouse, I have learned to put 40% shade cloth on the South side. If not, the plants get too much light.

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by Bayard

With snow on the ground outside my greenhouse, I have learned to put 40% shade cloth on the South side. If not, the plants get too much light.

Good to know my hypothesis is backed up by some real life experience. And 40% shade cloth in NJ is quite bit! Having grown up in Hershey, PA, I know how CLOUDY and DARK that area can get in the cold of winter.

[Orchid126]

Many orchid leaves turn dark from too much sun. Some phal leaves turn red, as do some cattleya leaves. The Iwanagarra Apple Blossom's leaves turn dark maroon when outside in the summer, and then inside the leaves gradually turn green again. This usually happens gradually. I think when the leaves bleach out it's because it happened suddenly.