Sunlight Guidelines

[PapaPhal]

I have been trying to determine the best type sunlight that I should give my orchids. I realize that there are general guidelines for any given orchid type but I have been contemplating what the best type of sunlight is for a given situation. For example, the general rule for a cattleya is a bright location. I guess I wonder what kind of bright condition is best: diffused sunlight through a shear curtain, mottled sunlight thru a lattice or a blind, or unimpeded sun with the plant(s) moved out of the direct sun but just on the fringe of it. For me, the latter one is the most difficult through a window sill. What have you found works best for you on phals, cattleyas and oncidiums?

[Ordphien]

All my orchid are growing in a combo of dappled sunlight, and being just beyond the edge of full sun.

Not really intentionally, that is just how it worked out.
I've noticed that my orchid in dappled light perform better than the ones that receive bright indirect light.

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[Phal grower]

Interesting thread. Would like to hear more.

[RJSquirrel]

I grow my phals in full shade outside unless it gets below 50 then they have to come in.
I grow my paphs in the same shade with some very late afternoon sun. The late afternoon suns angle is very low and the sun isnt as intense and Im safe from burning.
I grow my catts in 50% shade most of the past year outside. From late october to like last week they were getting full sun. They are now covered bec the angle of the sun is changing and they are getting much more intense light from the east and west. Mid day they are shaded naturally from the sun. I do notice that some catts I received have burned some bec they were soft greenhouse pampered plants and werent very tough,
Everything else I have fits right in there somewhere. Like the brassias and encyclia and vandas go right along with the catts outside. Vanda not liking it right now its too cold for it.

Sunlight is something that you just have to deal with the best you can. The sun you get thru a window can be deadly for any orchid at any given time if you dont control the heat load properly with air flow and humidity. The sun you get for your particular plant is going to dictate a lot on how you are going to be able to grow it if at all.

Doesnt matter how much you love an orchids if you cant give it what it needs it wont love you back

[PapaPhal]

Thanks for the input Ordphien & RJ. These are the kind of responses that I was hoping for. At least for me, this orchid growing hobby is tough because I have a lot more questions than answers. I wish I could grow outside but the winters are too cold and the summer I fear is way too hot and dry. However I'll make due. As of now all my plants are in an East facing window with blinds. My cats. and oncidium are positioned closest to the window with my phals. set back away. With this arrangement I can raise the blind about 12 inches and give full morning thru early afternoon sun to the cats and not burn the phals. But with the changing season, I will have to make some changes to a south window. Last summer I had my cats there. To break up the direct sun I used those shades with suction cups you see in cars but I think maybe that blocked too much sun. I want to try something different this season.

[NYCorchidman]

I grow my catts and dendrobium nobiles in the south window without any shading. They grow and bloom fine.

I have some mini catts, oncidiums, dendrobiums (spatulata hybrids) also on the south window but with sheer curtain (this is very rough mosquito net like stuff, so not much shading really).
Some of them turn slightly yellow, but survive and flowers fine.

All my paphs and phals are somewhere from one to four feet away from the south window with or without sheer curtain. All grow and flower fine.

My main concern is the heat in the summer time. I keep a small fan running at low speed all day when the weather gets really hot. lots of watering too.

Other than that, high light I find is the best for orchids. as I heard somewhere, maximum light possible just short of burning is the best.