Increased light during the winter season - Orchid Board

Maree · #1 09-19-2009, 08:59 AM

I set up an orchid table by my bay window this past February when I got the majority of my plants. I just realized they will receive more sunlight in the winter due to the sun being lower in the sky and the loss of leaves from my trees.
Is that the case for most of us in the Northern part of the US? Do your orchids receive increased light during the fall and winter? Do you get more flowers over the winter season? Just something to look forward to.

RosieC · #2 09-19-2009, 10:21 AM

I don't know how much the effect is, but sunlight is weaker when the sun is lower in the sky.

It's because the sunlight is passing through more of the earths atmosphere when it's coming in at a low angle and so it loses intensity as it comes through.

I also understand that the above effect is more pronounced the further from the equator you are.

Maybe someone else will know if this has enough effect to componsate for the fact you are getting more light.

My understanding was that plants like Phals could cope with direct winter sunlight for a couple of hours. Mine get some direct light in the winter without harm.

Donald · #3 09-19-2009, 12:07 PM

I keep mine in a South facing window in the winter with no adverse effect to the leaves. They love it. To keep them in the same spot during the spring or summer would be inviting total disaster.

johnblagg · #4 09-19-2009, 12:10 PM

Winter sun although weaker can still be stronger than it was in summer if leaves have fallen and its more full sun than it was in summer with the leaves diffusing it.

I would just kepp a eye on them the extra light might be great but It would depend on if they are deep shade ....or partial shade type plants.A partial shade type might love full sun in winter.

Donald · #5 09-19-2009, 12:17 PM

So true but here in Massachusetts the leaves after being in winter sun for a good 6 hours are still cool to the touch. Never lost a plant or leaves that got burnt and have been soing this for 6 years.

seamonkey · #6 09-19-2009, 12:37 PM

Here in Vancouver I'm totally looking forward to not worrying about my windowsill orchids getting burned. My carnivorous plants aren't so happy in the winter though.

Donald · #7 09-19-2009, 01:20 PM

I tried a couple of carniverous plants in my oudoor fish pond this year; Sarracenia leucophylla 'Tarnok' and a Sarracenia 'Cobra Nest' and no luck they took off really nicely and they browned up slowly and seems they are on their last leg. Could it be that in my observations around the pond I didn't see any bugs and when I cut open some open odf the leaves on both there was no evidence of any bugs in them. Could they have starved. I realize this is not an orchid post but I haven't been able to get an answer anywhere else.

billc · #8 09-19-2009, 05:45 PM

Hi Maree, I'm with Donald, the sun is much weaker in the North East in winter, and it's also cloudy about 40% of the time. My plants do fine. The only thing to watch for is in Mar./April before the leaves come out, the sun can start to burn Phals. I just move them further back from window.

Bill

johnblagg · #9 09-19-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donald

I tried a couple of carniverous plants in my oudoor fish pond this year; Sarracenia leucophylla 'Tarnok' and a Sarracenia 'Cobra Nest' and no luck they took off really nicely and they browned up slowly and seems they are on their last leg. Could it be that in my observations around the pond I didn't see any bugs and when I cut open some open odf the leaves on both there was no evidence of any bugs in them. Could they have starved. I realize this is not an orchid post but I haven't been able to get an answer anywhere else.

Igrew a few of the picher plant by my pond once and they did fairly well but bugs here are plentifull.

I did get some burning but they lived all summer.But I did ocassionaly feed them with dilute miracle grow by misting.

Being carnivorious dosent keep them from adsorbing it through the leaves they just make poor roots for this pourpose since they grow in nitrogen poor soils usually.

Try feeding them a little but to much and they will make smaller traps so very low amounts is better.