summer care for phal

[dreamiebloo]

It gets hot in the room where I keep my phals, ranging from around 85-90 during the day. I'm scared the plants will get sunburned so I keep the shade mostly closed, letting partial light in. So now the new issue is that they don't get enough sun. Any advice on caring for a phal during the summer?

[tucker85]

Which way does your window face? An east window would provide very nice morning sun but a south facing window might be too bright. A shear curtain might help if the window faces south. Phals need plenty of good light to grow even though they don't like direct sunlight except maybe in the morning. I think your biggest issue is air movement. Phals are warm growing orchids but hot air that is not moving could be a recipe for disaster. A ceiling fan or inexpensive floor fan on low could give you enough air movement. Although leaving a floor fan on unattended might not be a good idea.

[dreamiebloo]

The window is west facing. I have let the phals sit in direct sunlight for the last few months without any problems, but since the temperature has increased a lot over the last week I have closed the blinds. I will try to leave my fan on for a few hours since it has a timer
I don't know where else I can put them since none of the other windows in my place gets much light.

[WhiteRabbit]

hmm - I haven't burned any plants in windows unless the foliage hits the glass and it's extremely hot out (upper 90s +) even in the west facing window - haven't grown a phal in that window, but oncidium alliance, dens, catt alliance -
no a/c here, so house isn't usually too much cooler than outside ...
a fan to keep the air moving can't hurt

[Zoi2]

I agree, your phals should be fine on the window sil but you do need plenty of air circulation. I grow phals on an east window sil all year with a temperature range of 60-90F but I keep a fan on 24/7.
Joann

[silken]

And if it is too hot, moving it back even a foot would be a lot less light.

[dreamiebloo]

thanks everyone! i will def start using a fan

[cutebeka]

My room is always hot during the summer,last week we had a heat wave it was 80-90 out so I made sure I had my fan on. I have a small table/desk fan i got it way before I started my orchids,got it for my room actually. My room doesn't get cool at night either for summer so sometimes I move them into a cooler room for night since they need the temperature change. This week is very cool compared to last week so i'm not worried too much about them getting too hot. good luck.