Light for phalaenopsis

[Danica]

Which is better, western or eastern window?
Also, I've wanted to say, music DOES help growing plants. I am pianist, I play all day long, and orchids bloom just like that.

[magicatt]

I think western since the sun is getting weaker instead of stronger. I don't know maybe someone else with more experience will answer.

[trdyl]

Danica,

Allow me to say, Welcome to the Orchid Board!

It depends on the amount of light that is available. If your growing on unshaded windowsill you would want to stay away from a western window unless the glass is opaque. Phaleanopsis are low light requiring plants. The eastern window is a better choice for an unshaded clear glass window. If you have any northern windows they are usually good for Phaleanopsis as well. I have most of mine in northern windows.

As far as music goes, I have not noticed any differences with or without.

[RosieC]

Hi Danica and welcome to Orchid Board

Generally Phals are best in East windows. As the days get shorter they may be ok in the west windows depending on how much light you are getting.

[camille1585]

I might be the weird one here, but I prefer west or south for my phals when I'm in France with them, even in the middle of summer. (Here I don't have a choice, it's north-east or nothing, so I added lights!) They don't get direct light since there's a bush in front of the window making some dappled shade. Phals can take a lot more light than you'd think, as long as it's not direct sun.

[Danica]

Thanks, people, it helped

[wtamuboi]

I have my phals on a south-facing balcony, and they're doing just fine. Of course, there is a building blocking most of the direct sun from 10-3, there is a hackberry tree mottling the sunlight from 3-6 and I have shadecloth over the shelves that have phals on them. I have Cattleyas on the top shelf (no shade cloth) that are also amazingly happy with the same area.

So, my experience says that anywhere should work as long as you have a spare hackberry tree.

[aesir22]

I have read of a few studies that show certain plants respond well to music, classical, nothing heavy, but I forget where. It would be interesting to see you give all of them all the same care, but half in the room with the piano, half in a room where the music won't be heard. See if there is a difference in growth. I have just started the piano in July (Just put in entry for first grading ) so if they do like piano then great

I keep my phals in a north-east window. Actually, in 4 north east windows lol. Plants spread throughout the house!!!

[SewPretty]

I keep mine in a shaded (curtain sheers) eastern or unshaded south facing window and they do great in both.

[wtamuboi]

So it appears that something ripped down a strip of shade cloth. It's been fixed, but one of my phals already has a sunburnt leaf, from only a couple hours southern exposure. I only have southern facing exposure in my apartment so I have to do what I can, but there are risks.