too much light for this paph?

[lobotomizedgoat]

I got this plant recently. It sits near a window but gets no direct sun and for most the day its primary source of light is an LED grow light. Today I noticed that a portion of this leaf that is shaded by another plant (a cattleya leaf) is darker than the rest. I would say that portion is the same color as it was when I got the plant and that the rest has lightened slightly.

My guess is that it is receiving brighter light than it was used to (I suspected as much when I put it under the catt) but how much is too much? I have another older paph nearby receiving somewhat less light that also lightened, but seems stable, if slow in growth.

Not sure how well the photo will display on other monitors. The transition line is horizontal across the center of the image with the top half being darker.

[estación seca]

Different kinds of Paphs do best with different levels of light.

I can't see the whole label. If it is Paph. Amelia Hart Alexander it is a primary hybrid between two species in the same Section, Paph. primulinum and Paph. victoria-regina. Both do best with full shade. In fact, this whole Section of Paphiopedilum prefers full shade. Note that other kinds of Paphs prefer a lot more light, for example, the multiflorals like Paph. rothschildianum.

It's always a good idea to look up ancestors when growing an unfamiliar plant. I find orchidroots.com and the Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia great for doing this.

[lobotomizedgoat]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Different kinds of Paphs do best with different levels of light.

I can't see the whole label. If it is Paph. Amelia Hart Alexander it is a primary hybrid between two species in the same Section, Paph. primulinum and Paph. victoria-regina. Both do best with full shade. In fact, this whole Section of Paphiopedilum prefers full shade. Note that other kinds of Paphs prefer a lot more light, for example, the multiflorals like Paph. rothschildianum.

It's always a good idea to look up ancestors when growing an unfamiliar plant. I find orchidroots.com and the Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia great for doing this.

I did look up the ancestors and at least a couple places indicated "bright light" (2000-2500 fc, irrc). The problem is I'm both fairly new and don't have a trustworthy light meter so it is difficult for me to translate that into something actionable for my grow area. Considering that, I'm hoping to increase my aptitude for reading the signs given by the plants themselves, which I figure should have primacy over cultural notes, in any case. That way I can adjust their culture as needed.

It sounds like this one is indicating it wants less light?

...

It is Paph. Amelia Hart Alexander, btw!

[Ray]

FWIW, my paphs, phrags, and phals are out on the deck, on the north side of my house, so while it is bright, they get no direct light whatsoever, and grow and bloom well.

Someone sent me a scan of a “hand shadow” estimator for light intensity, so I’ll attach it.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Ray

FWIW, my paphs, phrags, and phals are out on the deck, on the north side of my house, so while it is bright, they get no direct light whatsoever, and grow and bloom well.

Someone sent me a scan of a “hand shadow” estimator for light intensity, so I’ll attach it.

How far above the plant should you hold your hand?

[Ray]

Originally Posted by camille1585

How far above the plant should you hold your hand?

I didn’t see anything in that piece, but over they years, I’ve heard 1 foot.