Question about light at night

[Gravelsack]

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

Ray,

Pointsettias are VERY sensitive. Plants will bloom, but they will not develop the colored leaves (which people think are blooms). In nurseries, you have to shade against the street lights.

I am not aware of any orchids that are sensitive to that level.

Otoh, I have a poinsettia that I have been growing for the past 9 years, and it flowers every year for me, producing colored leaves and everything.

I don't do anything special for it and it receives random ambient light frequently. Here's a picture of one of the blooms from today:

[LovePhals]

I got a Cattleya walkeriana last year too and also have added just a few others as well. That's good to know about their bloom cycles needing shorter light.
Unless it's a specific species though, I don't think it matters. I have bloom about every genre of orchid all hybrids with lights on including a kitchen light.

[Leafmite]

Originally Posted by Tschimm

You mean because you're growing under lights ?

Yes, as a beginner.
(I always with natural lighting before.)

[Ordphien]

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

Even faint artificial light, such as a street light, can ruin the blooming cycle in Poitsettias.

I'd also like to say that poinsettia aren't that sensitive. I have three that live year round in garden. Two of them are under my porch light year round. And they still turn red.
A few neighbors and friends as well.

That being said, I still can't rebloom my walkeriana and perhaps this is why.

[Tschimm]

If you want to sell poinsettias for Christmas, it's obviously important that all of them bloom at the same time.
Nobody will buy one in January ;-)

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by Gravelsack

Otoh, I have a poinsettia that I have been growing for the past 9 years, and it flowers every year for me, producing colored leaves and everything.

I don't do anything special for it and it receives random ambient light frequently. Here's a picture of one of the blooms from today:Attachment 107541

You got a partial set of red leaves. Commercially grown plants have 2-3 sets.

[Gravelsack]

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

You got a partial set of red leaves. Commercially grown plants have 2-3 sets.

It's only just started to flower, there are more sets on the way. Also, I am not a commercial grower.

My point was simply that poinsettia is not quite as light sensitive with regards to blooming as some people think.

[gngrhill]

Originally Posted by Gravelsack

It's only just started to flower, there are more sets on the way. Also, I am not a commercial grower.

My point was simply that poinsettia is not quite as light sensitive with regards to blooming as some people think.

Congrats to you ! I have a poinsettia that I kept from last year that refuses to rebloom in spite of darkness at night

[Brooke]

C. labiata is the only Catt species that needs a reduction of light in the fall to bloom. I have three different labiata and even though they sit within a couple of feet of each other, they all bloom at different times.

My three different walkeriana need strong light to bloom, will bloom multiple times of the year, in different seasons of the year.

Brooke

[isurus79]

Yep, walkeriana can bloom anytime of the year, but they still need dark nights. Here is the Harry's post: http://www.orchidboard.com/community...-blooming.html