Light question in regards to paph, ludiscia and phal

[Paul Mc]

I currently have one of my paphs which did not bloom this year sitting in a west window where the neighbors used to have a tree so there was dappled shade during the morning. I just bought a light meter and to my horror discovered that in the morning until the sun leaves the windowsill area (about 3 or 4 hours, I may be over generous on this as I have not observed it today with the meter), this particular windowsill is getting around 3000 footcandles of light. Should I move my paph to a lower light area? Would a ludisia discolor and phal survive this amount of light given the amount of hours and morning time?

BTW, my paph did not bloom this year and I am examining why it did not. I know I was underwatering it to start with, and also the medium was old. I have corrected these and the new leaves are looking much healthier now.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Bump.

I'm not good enough with Paphs to be qualified in telling you much about their culture.

[PaphMadMan]

If your Paph doesn't show any leaf burn there probably hasn't been any serious damage. You didn't say what kind of Paph you have, and it does make a difference. For most Paphs 3000 footcandles is way too much, but other types might be fine if adjusted to it over time. Do you know your Paph's name or can you show us a picture?

That is also too much light for Phals, and Ludisia should be dimmer still, more like the shade behind a Paph or Phal.

[Paul Mc]

It's a cross breed but I don't have the real names. The growers names were Wizardy x Nedra Coyner. That was my understanding as well, but I guess for me the real question was in the fact that it's early morning light. My understanding is that it's not as intense as mid-day and some plants (not necessarily orchids) can do fine in morning light but not mid-day or evening. I will have to re-examine my placements now along that window since the light is far more intense than I thought it was going to be.

Thanks for the information.

[PaphMadMan]

Paph. Wizardry x Nedra Coyner is a Maudiae type. This cross has not been named so far. It is mostly Paph. callosum, usually recommended for 2300 footcandles or less. A couple hours of 3000 footcadles might be ok but you are risking leaf burn even if it usually tolerates it.

Morning, noon, or even artifical light doesn't really matter. The angle of the light relative to the leaves, the air temperature and circulation might make some difference, but 3000 footcandles is 3000 footcandles.

[Paul Mc]

Thank you! That is very good information to know. I now know more than I ever did about this particular orchid, lol...

[camille1585]

You must mean an east window since since they get morning sun? Either way, you could try hanging some sheer cloth between the orchids and the window, it should help diffuse the light somewhat to avoid burning.

[Paul Mc]

Oops, I did mean an east window. My apologies. Thanks guys, I re-arranged the orchids to hopefully what will be a better light environment for them.