Paph. lighting

[caseydoll]

I was wondering if paphs can tolerate a little morning sun? I have a couple with mottled leaves and one with green. I have a spot open for them in front of an east window that gets some morning sun. I have blinds so it's dappled sun and where I would put them is off to the side a little. They would only get a little bit but is any sun too much for them? Any replies would be greatly appreciated and would help my pacing from room to room looking for a spot! Thanks!

Sarah

[Ross]

I have two mottled leaf Paphs and I believe they like dappled shade like Phals. I have one solid green leaf Paph that seems to want strong light. I originally thought it would want light like Phals also, but it "seeks" light. I continually turn it toward (or from, depending on your point of view) the light and it grows back the other way. I'm about to "up the anti".

[jim blanford]

I grow my Paphs under lights when they are in bloom I display them in a bay window with east exposure they do great I think that if grew them there all the time they would fine also. Hope that helps. Jim.

[cb977]

My paphs get plenty of morning sun and they all have new growths! Mottled leaf paphs can take a little more light than the others, in general.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by cb977

My paphs get plenty of morning sun and they all have new growths! Mottled leaf paphs can take a little more light than the others, in general.

Is that right? I thought the otherwise. I thought solid green wanted more light.

[Rick Barry]

Making generalizations is always a risky business, especially concerning orchid culture, but I tend to agree with Ross. The so-called Maudiae types, encompassing a broad range of mottle-leafed species and hybrids, tend to need lower light levels than the solid green strap-leafed varieties. At the extreme end of Paphs are the multiflorals (all solid green) which thrive under nearly Cattleya-level light intensities.

In my experience very few orchids suffer ill effects from exposure to early morning sun, even those requiring lower light levels. The sun doesn't reach full intensity until it is high in the sky, since its rays must penetrate much more of the atmosphere in the early morning and late afternoon. If your plants are out of the direct sun by 9:30 or 10:00 AM they should be out of danger from burning.

Regards,
Rick

[Phantasm]

I agree with the above comments especially regarding blanket statements on light levels for various plants.
Even though Maudiae types appreciate lower light levels and multiflorals like higher light, there are of course exceptions.

Brachypetalums have mottled leaves and can handle quite bright light, and on the other hand plain green leafed plants like insigne, villosum, henryanum, barbigerum etc appreciate lower light levels.

It's important to know the background of the plants you grow to better determine their requirements.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Phantasm

I agree with the above comments especially regarding blanket statements on light levels for various plants.
Even though Maudiae types appreciate lower light levels and multiflorals like higher light, there are of course exceptions.

Brachypetalums have mottled leaves and can handle quite bright light, and on the other hand plain green leafed plants like insigne, villosum, henryanum, barbigerum etc appreciate lower light levels.

It's important to know the background of the plants you grow to better determine their requirements.

Thanks for clarifying that.

[justatypn]

Great solid info...thanks all

[Tindomul]

I have one Paph Vanda M. Pearman which gets 30 or so minutes of direct sun in the early morning, does nothing but grow . I agree with Rick's statements.