too much light?

[sunny]

i am growing all my orchids in a screened in porch converted to a "orchid room". consequently, all the lighting is artificial. i have some cattleyas at 6 on the foot candle scale and some phals at 3. although i am getting a lot of blooming going on, i am also not getting a lot of other orchids too bloom. the temp is right and the humidity is good. could they have too much light?

sunny

[Ross]

Originally Posted by sunny

i am growing all my orchids in a screened in porch converted to a "orchid room". consequently, all the lighting is artificial. i have some cattleyas at 6 on the foot candle scale and some phals at 3. although i am getting a lot of blooming going on, i am also not getting a lot of other orchids too bloom. the temp is right and the humidity is good. could they have too much light?

sunny

I'm not familiar with your scale. Cats, in general prefer something around 3000 FCs to bloom. Phals will tolerate up to 2000 FCs but probably do best (for most folks) at 1500 FCs. Your meter sounds not standard.

[justatypn]

Ross is right the meter is much more different than what some are use to using. I merely use hand shadowing than if all else fails I move them around until they let me know they are happy or unhappy.

What type are those stubborn bloomers, are they in dormancy. Your conditions sound superb for most.

Taking a wild guess, being I live in Florida and have used the username with sunny in it in the past, do you reside in Fl.

[Royal]

I doubt that high light is preventing blooms. Your plants will tell you when they get too much, and it won't take long. They'll burn with too much and that'll be obvious.

[Daemos]

Watch them closely for a week. Burning sets in within that time as purple spots eventualy with black dry spots in the middle. Drying of the leaf edges will occur etc etc. If that happens the awnser is yes, you are burning the plants.

[Royal]

Just to clarify:

Too much light is not good, but it's probably not the reason why you don't see blooms.

Any time someone says they don't get blooms, the first thing I think is not enough light. If the plants are not sunburned - than too much light is not the issue.

[sunny]

i live in north carolina, but i am lucky enough to live on an island on the east coast so we get plenty of sun, rain and wind.

i know they are not burning because i recognize that. they have been in place a good year. it's just that these lights are so bright. the plants look great and happy..great color and growth and i love them even if they do not bloom. it's just you are dying to see what they look like.
i have some pictures of those in bloom in the gallery under sunny

[Royal]

Duck Head? Bald Head? I love NC! So jealous.

[Ross]

You're doing great so far. Where are you located? I plan to be in Myrtle Beach in August.

[sunny]

you are going to be three hours south of us, but this is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much nicer. i like myrtle beach but not this much.

carol