East X West facing windows depend on the hemispheres?

[L. Vilas Boas]

Hello,

It is very common to read around here that a good place for orchids is an east facing window. However, I note that most of you are growing orchids in the US. Does that recommendation remains for Brazilian newbies such as me? Or is it based solely on northern hemisphere conditions?
Temperature is another thing that gives me doubts. If many orchids come from tropical climates, it seems odd to me that they would develop best under temperatures less than 20 Celsius.
I am having difficulty finding solid information online from Brazilian growers, and most reliable forums such as this are centered on the northern hemisphere and its really easy to get confused. Sometimes reading things here one could get the notion that it is impossible to grow orchids in warmer countries.

Thank you in advance for your time.

[jcec1]

High elevations - even at tropical latitudes will be cool or cold - that's why some orchids do well at less than 20C

[Roberta]

The important information to glean from the various posts is how a given set of conditions advances the goals that are the same for all locations. (WHAT you are trying to achieve, rather than HOW it is done) Light, of good duration but not so intense that it burns leaves. (When the light from your window is falling on the plant, feel it... if it is hot to the touch, it is too much intensity) What is the duration of bright light? (This is easier to achieve in lower latitudes) Many of us in temperate (or cold) climates look at "what can we get away with" since the "ideal" is out of reach, at least without a lot of expense. A Phalaenopsis can survive and even grow at 20 deg C. but it would be a lot happier if kept warmer.(But that may be impossible, or very expensive, when there is snow outside) When interior spaces are heated, humidity drops - a constant battle for those in colder areas. In tropical latitudes, there is usually plenty of that.

So look at the desired result, not what people may do to achieve that. In all latitudes, early morning light will tend to be cooler than late afternoon light, even a the same intensity. Where you have to "translate" is to reverse "north" and "south" for sun intensity, and also the months... look at the seasons not the months.

[orchidsarefun]

In the Southern Hemisphere the sun still rises in the east and sets in the west. You can still base your plant growing conditions on this fact , irrespective of Hemisphere.
Generally speaking in the Southern Hemisphere a North facing window is the brightest and hottest while the opposite is true in the Northern Hemisphere. So whenever somebody talks about sun-loving plants in a South window, you have to convert to a North-facing window.

[rbarata]

I'll to that, Brasil has a lot of warm growing orchids as well as cool growing.
Which orchids are you trying to grow?
BTW,can you tell where do you live?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by rbarata

I'll to that, Brasil has a lot of warm growing orchids as well as cool growing.
Which orchids are you trying to grow?
BTW,can you tell where do you live?

Also, make the distinction between "requires warm" and "may prefer warm but tolerates cold". Many Brazilian orchids fall into the latter category. (I love those, since I am a "What can I get away with?" orchid grower)

[L. Vilas Boas]

Thank you for your answers.
Currently in the Northeastern part of the country, where it is very warm for the most part of the year, even during winter months. It is very windy, as well, as I am near the sea.
Sadly I have lost all of my orchids during moving from one state to the other, so currently all I have is a NoID denphal that I won as a gift. But before I purchase other flowers I would like study a bit more the ones suitable for my area.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by L. Vilas Boas

Thank you for your answers.
Currently in the Northeastern part of the country, where it is very warm for the most part of the year, even during winter months. It is very windy, as well, as I am near the sea.
Sadly I have lost all of my orchids during moving from one state to the other, so currently all I have is a NoID denphal that I won as a gift. But before I purchase other flowers I would like study a bit more the ones suitable for my area.

There are many orchids that are adapted to that environment - research "orchids of the restinga". These include little ones such as the rupiculous Laelias, and big ones such as Cattleya guttata. These tolerate heat, humidity (but don't seem to require a lot of it), wind, salt air... They also grow under milder conditions - I grow many of them. They clearly are very robust orchids, and would, no doubt, be happier in your environment than in mine.

[rbarata]

But before I purchase other flowers I would like study a bit more the ones suitable for my area.

That's a wise decision.

[Ray]

I think the logic on the sun direction is that in the morning, the temperatures tend to be cooler than the afternoons, so the combination of ambient + solar heating is somewhat reduced.

The sun still rises in the east in the southern hemisphere...