Understanding Sunlight

[imbaddakota]

Hello everyone! This is my first post, sorry if it is long...

I have 3 phals, 1 oncidium, 3 cymbidiums, 3 epicattleyas, 2 cattleyas, and 5 new orchids for me (Brass, Angraecum, beallara, and a dendrobium mini). I am in a new house with windows in all directions, but having trouble figuring out where to put some of them.

The 3 phals were in the north windows but the foliage became very dark, i moved them to the south windows and they love it (reddish tinge and all) this window received 2 hours or so of light a day, but in this same window the cattleyas and epicattleyas became burned at the tips so i moved them to the north windows which are bright all day with no direct sun (too soon to know if they like it).

I would have thought that they would have wanted to be positioned in the south since they are med to strong light, and the phals in the north which are med light.

I guess what i am asking is if this sounds right? can bright indirect light be stronger than limited direct light?

Also, My cymbidiums are on the patio in the "cold" so they bloom, receiving one to two hours of morning sun then one hour of dappled sun but when i bring them indoors will they be better off in the south or north? I could also put them in the east window to receive morning sun only but that does not seem like enough?

Thanks!!!

[Bud]

The catts are not burned they are reacting to too much fertilizer or underwatered=dry tips. You will know if the leaves are sunburned they will have a large discoloration on the leaf itself not on the tips...bring them back

[WhiteRabbit]

This time of year, the sun is starting to be more south, and will continue to do so until the winter solstice - southern exposure will begin to receive direct light nearly all day (daylight hours) - unless of course it's blocked by something. During summer, the sun is high in the sky, and southern exposure likely receives little to no direct light. Of course, SE or SW can be quite bright.
I move 'high light' plants into the southern window usually mid fall thru mid spring. I actually move the lower light plants into the south window during summer.

I have bloomed a Phal (and a few other lower light orchids) in my north facing window - others will say it's not enough light ...

I'd keep the cyms outdoors as long as possible (to just before threat of first frost) - if possible, you might try increasing the amount of light they are receiving - morning light is excellent! (they really like a good deal). If/when you must bring them inside, I'd go for the sunniest possible spot you have. (I must add tho, I am able to leave cyms outside year round, so don't have experience with them indoors - hopefully others who have can advise)

gl

[Bud]

can you post your grow zone on your profile and what location in the USA...north or south Dakota? in order for us to acurately advice you on orchid growing...

[Zoi2]

Hello and welcome!
Joann

[imbaddakota]

Whoops!

Im in indianapolis, zone 5!

Thanks!

[Leafmite]

All my orchids are in front of my sliding glass doors that face South. I have a thick plastic drop cloth over the doors to prevent drafts and I arrange the orchids according to the light. The drop cloth likely acts the part of a sheer curtain but it doesn't deter anyone from blooming and doesn't hurt my non-orchids that prefer full sun. I don't think the plants always understand the lighting issue, either. It is best to introduce them to the light slowly, even if they love bright light, but, even then, I have had a vanda get a little burned while no one else minded. I'm guessing the vanda must have gotten mixed up and thought it was an aerangis.
Leafmite

[Orchid126]

If you think a plant isn't getting enough light, you don't necessarily have to move it to another window. Just move it closer to the light. The same goes for a plant that you think is getting too much light. Just move it back a couple of inches, or to the left or to the right. Light drops dramatically for every INCH away from the source.

Feel the leaves. If they're warm, it's too much light.

Light also differs in the same window. Dead center is the most light, to the right is early light, to the left is late day light.

And this business of having a curtain is only for places like the deep south or mid west or west. Here in the light starved northeast, we need clear glass to get the most light we possibly can. Light loving plants are closer to the windows, others that need a bit less are behind them.

[Leafmite]

Yes, I know that the sheer curtain thing is not for Ohio but I have a few non-orchids that are extremely fussy about cold drafts and even with another set of outer doors, some air gets through. The drop cloth is 'clear' but heavy duty. Sigh. At least the phals never burn. : )
Leafmite