Pushing sunlight (short of sunburn)

[qbie]

Pardon my silly question. I have only grown phals so am new to growing sarcochilus, dendrobium, coelogyne, cymbidium (and possibly an epidendrum). I understand they all require more light than phals. Would it be safe to say, even tho exposed to some direct sun, as long as the leaves feel cool to warm to touch the plants will likely not be sunburnt? So factors like ambient temperature, breeze and light intensity can affect how much sunlight the plant can tolerate? Thank you!

[Dimples]

Those factors can work together to allow a plant to tolerate higher light than otherwise, but there’s a limit. You also need to avoid taking a plant from low light to much higher light to quickly. Photo bleaching can happen at moderate temperatures if the plant has been in significantly lower light for a long time.

[qbie]

Ty. Did not know there was such a thing as photo bleaching. Makes sense.

[Louis_W]

Hydration is also a very important factor that helps plants tolerate high Temps.

I push my plants pretty far. The leaves are often quite hot to the touch. Mine are bifoliate cattleya which are well adapted for extremes. I say push the light as far as you can. Pay attention closely and learn to recognize the signs of stress.

[Dimples]

I also do what LW does because of my available space. My phals get pushed to their light limit for half the year and I ensure all the other factors add up to cool-warm leaves. If they start to feel hot I start playing with the blinds.

If you’re buying from reputable vendors they should be keeping the plants in appropriate growing conditions prior to shipping, so I tend to err less on the side of caution when placing these plants in my growing space because it hasn’t been sitting in a dark truck followed by a dark grocery/big box shop (for who knows how long) where we all love to rescue no-named hitchhikers.

[qbie]

Ty Louis W for the reminder on hydration. Read about it somewhere but had forgotten as my head has been sort of spinning lately trying to read up on like 5 or 6 new orchids I’ve never grown before, let alone ever heard of some.

Dimples, I’m also limited on space too. The new plants were all acquired in the last 3 weeks, not from a vendor but freebies in someone’s driveway whose late husband was apparently an orchid breeder and now she is moving and downsizing. They’re not in the best of health (were actually listed in poor condition). I asked and all I know is they’ve been grown outdoors under a shade cloth, exposed to wind/rain. Still I’m being a little cautious with the sun exposure as I’m sure since I picked them up they haven’t gotten as much sun as they normally do to have needed protection.

Now that I understand phals are low light orchids and where I’ve always placed them in my condo gives me something to gauge the amt and intensity of sun exposure to try to give all the other plants. So I appreciate everyone’s feedback!

[Roberta]

If they have been growing outside, they're tough. "Bequest" orchids usually need some extra TLC, they probably are lucky if they have even gotten water recently. Don't worry too much about optimizing light... growing roots would be first priority. (Too little light is better than too much for a stressed plant) A good bath with Kelpak might be helpful. You still have a couple of months of good weather that is conducive to growing.

What are the others that you are trying to get your head around? Knowing what the plants have experienced, that can really help in getting advice.

[qbie]

Ty Roberta, just the ones listed above plus pleurothallis I believe. I think they’re all higher light except pleurothallis. It’s a lot better now, my head is not spinning anymore lol

I repotted all except a handful that didnt seem to look too bad, mostly because I do not want them to continue to have any pests so focused on taking sections of new growth at the edges and/or keikis where possible but then they’re prolly not as “hardened”. Actually will be experimenting growing some indoors and some out in case the ones outside don’t make it thru the winter. There were a lot of rotten roots esp on the sarcs, cymbidium and part of coelogyne that came out with a light tug. Felt repotting was the best I could do for all of them to try to give them all fresh starts in a new home