Orchid plant orientation to sunlight -- OK to change it periodically? - Orchid Board

cythaenopsis · #1 10-09-2011, 07:07 PM

In my experience with most plants, they appear to gravitate towards their leaves getting optimal sun exposure. So, if you leave the plant in a certain orientation near a window, the leaves and stalks will all rotate and sway towards the sunlight. Thus, it's a good idea to rotate the plant periodically so you get even growth.

Is this something that should be followed with some species of orchids as well? It looks like some don't really care, like phalaenopsis. But I have an oncidium that was growing just fine, but recently one of the taller leaves has taken to lean quite prominently forward. In it's particular orientation, the leaf tip was pointing away from the window. Now, it is pointing towards it and... well, it doesn't look very attractive that way.

Here's how my orchid seedlings looked at the end of August:

Here's how they look now:

The oncidium microchilum up close:

What should I do to "coax" the leaf to lean back in a more "attractive" position? Or... should I just let the plant be and live with it?

WhiteRabbit · #2 10-10-2011, 01:37 AM

Doesn't hurt to turn them - I don't know that the one that has been growing towards the light will change direction at this time.
Tho if the plant has always been with the same side near the window (light), the growth on the other side MAY burn, not being acclimated to the higher light.

RosieC · #3 10-10-2011, 04:05 AM

I turn them. I'm not sure it makes a difference to growing direction but I turn them sometimes in case. I've just not made notes enough to tell what effect it has.

Turning Phals can cause twisted leaves, however I've never had a problem turning p-bulb based orchids.

camille1585 · #4 10-10-2011, 04:48 AM

I've never had issues with phals having twisted leaves, even though I turn them regularily. I've never even heard that story before.

I try to turn all my windowsill orchids on a regular basis, especially the ones that form large clumps (like Oncs) so that all sides get some light.

Just avoid turning anything once they are in bud.

RosieC · #5 10-10-2011, 08:38 AM

Interesting Camille, I've heard it reported here (King of Orchid Growing at least has mentioned it, but I'm sure I've heard others). But more importantly I've had it happen.

I think it's more likely if the phal is growing sideways as it should instead of upright, the upright ones are probably less affected, although I have one that's growing upright and has started twisting recently, the new leaves this year are twisted compared to the rest of the plant and I did move it in the spring.

camille1585 · #6 10-10-2011, 08:46 AM

Funny, because I have very few upright Phals, most are flopped over. Maybe the light they get on the windowsill isn't strong enough. Anyway now I don't have any chance of running into that problem, nearly all the Phals are under lights.

Ray · #7 10-10-2011, 09:19 AM

Whatever you do, don't turn them once they start spiking, or you will end up with a horrible, random presentation of the blossoms.

cythaenopsis · #8 10-10-2011, 12:58 PM

I have two phals with the crown and leaves flopped over sideways, but the main spike is positioned upright. I've learned in nature that the leaves normally point downward, which avoids water collecting in the crown that would cause crown rot--something that home grown phals can be susceptible to, because of their usual orientation.

One of the leaves on one phal is growing outward more prominently than the other leaves... kind of looks sloppy, but the leaf is pretty firm on its position.

I wish I'd paid more attention to my oncidium, as I don't recall how rapidly the leaf position change happened. In any case, does the back side of the leaf have photosynthesis properties? It looks like it has very similar skin to the top part of the leaf.

RosieC · #9 10-10-2011, 01:13 PM

Yes the back side of the leaf will photosynthesis as well (if it's green on a plant then it's capable of photosynthesis).

On the phals the flopping over sideways is not a problem. What has happened on mine is that the older leaves are flopped over one way, and the newer leaves have tried to twist around to lean a completely different direction. I'll have to get a picture of the worst affected one to show you what I mean.

cythaenopsis · #10 10-10-2011, 02:54 PM

Good to hear that. Thanks, Rosie!