Cattleya Night "light"?

[Bill U.]

Hello everyone!

This is a question for all of those Cattleya growers out there (especially those who grow/know about Pot. Burana Beauty 'Burana').

I have been trying to do some research into the culture of these lovelies, but I have been finding some rather vague descriptions when it comes to their light requirements.

There have been most culture sheets that I have seen just say the standard:

"Proper light is an important factor in growing Cattleyas. To attain good growth and flower production, Cattleyas should receive 2000-3000 foot candles. When Cattleyas receive the correct amount of light, the leaves will display a light green color. If the plants are grown at your window (especially south exposure) they may need protection from direct sunrays through the months of March to August."

BUT, there have been a few that say that it is important for the plants to get their "dark night" (after a 14-16hr growing day). A few have gone on to say that if there is insufficient light to read fine print, then it should be dark enough.

The main reason that I am asking is that I am a west-windowsill grower in downtown Chicago, so there is always a little bit of light coming through my window (even with my blinds closed)- not enough to light up a room (or to read fine print by), but some. Would I have to basically put a Pot. Burana Beauty 'Burana' in a cardboard box or my closet @ night for it to be dark enough and not disrupt its day/night cycle?

Any help is greatly appreciated!!!

P.S. For any of you who may ask- I do not currently own 'Burana'. I am trying to make sure I can keep it happy before I order one

[tucker85]

This is an interesting question. I know there are physiological changes that occur at night but I don't know how much light it would take to prevent those changes from occurring or how it would affect the orchid if it didn't go through those changes at night. If I were you, I would probably just give it a try and see what happens. Hopefully some growers with more information about this will speak up.

[cricketerry]

I have grown this plant for several years now along with many other catt types. It gets a lot of light during the day and at night it gets whatever hits it through an unshaded window. For me as a country dweller that is mainly moonlight.

I do not think that the light you are talking about (through a blind) will be a problem at all.

[silken]

My thought is that it can be pretty bright outside when there is a full moon. So I don't think it has to be pitch black.

[Bill U.]

Thank you guys for all of your responses! I was able to measure the light intensity through the blinds and I got a reading of 2 lux, which if my calculations are correct, is about 0.19 foot-candles.

Silken, you make a very good point about the moonlight in nature- that does get very bright sometimes!

Thanks again to everyone for taking the time out of your day to help!