Couple questions about blooming?

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by PaxTea

What exactly do you guys mean when you say direct sunlight? I thought that a plant had to be outdoors to get direct sunlight.

My plants are in a southwest/west facing bay window, which has blinds that I pull up in the morning and put down after dark. The window doesn't have curtains or anything. Beams of light fall directly on the leaves, especially in the evening.

Is that bad?

I always think that I must have a different definition of "direct" and "indirect" light than others ... to me, "indirect" light would be bright shade or dappled only light, or highly diffused light (thru a sheer curtain or frosted glass). All my orchids get at least some direct sun (by my definition of sun directly hitting the plant). Some take a good deal of direct sun, others much less. Varies from (Cyms for instance) all morning outdoors (quite a few hours in summer), to growing in a north facing window which gets a little bit of direct sun very early and very late in the day, tho actually doesn't get any direct light in winter. In winter however, the south facing window gets direct sun almost all day (tho days are shorter), it's definitely enough light that high light plants get a purpley "tan".

[PaxTea]

I see! Thank you for the explanation. I'll keep an eye out for the black edging on the leaves and put something over the window if I see any sign of burning.

Is it possible for a plant to get both too much light, and not enough light, at the same time?

For example, what if a plant is getting direct, unfiltered light, but it doesn't last for very long, and its general environment is not bright?

(I'm still trying to figure out if my apartment is "bright." It hasn't been helpful that we've been having clouds and snow a lot lately.)

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by PaxTea

I see! Thank you for the explanation. I'll keep an eye out for the black edging on the leaves and put something over the window if I see any sign of burning.

Is it possible for a plant to get both too much light, and not enough light, at the same time?

For example, what if a plant is getting direct, unfiltered light, but it doesn't last for very long, and its general environment is not bright?

(I'm still trying to figure out if my apartment is "bright." It hasn't been helpful that we've been having clouds and snow a lot lately.)

It's possible for plants to burn even if the light shouldn't be too strong for them. If they have been in low light and get suddenly moved into strong light, or suddenly taking direct light for longer that they are acclimated to. Summer sun at mid-day can be too much for some that may otherwise be able to take direct light for a few hours. I also can get burned plants when there's a drastic spike in temps - plants outside getting afternoon sun, maybe highs in the low-mid 80s, plants are used to the amount of sun they are getting, then one day highs go into mid 90s: burned plants. They can even take sun into the 90s if temps rose more gradually. Being outside, these plants are in the sun for a few hours, at least, during summer - they're ok with the hot temps-sun combination for shorter periods (like, I notice it's gotten hot, so I move them before they have been sitting in the hot sun for hours already - I have LOTS of burned plants) .

Burn can be be large blackened area on some, others will show large blanched areas.

Your example of direct light for a short period in an otherwise "dark" area MAY be sufficient for low light orchids, but insufficient for ones needing more light. I have a sheltered, east facing porch, the window over-looking that is mostly shaded, but does get a bit of morning sun - good for low light orchids.

[NYCorchidman]

West exposure is fine, but during the summer, you have to watch out for heat buildup.

I'm sure there are all the names for different types of window blinds, but the ones with wide plastic or wooden piece, they are the worst for plants as they block out most of the light. well, if you close them all the way or nearly so.

I also have a metal blind of such type painted white. but because it blocks out most of the light when drawn, I do not use them at all. They are always all the way to the top and stay there. lol

I use sheer curtain. a bit too coarse I think although every orchid survived through the summer.
I plant to put in one more layer of the same material or replace with something that lets slightly less light through during the summer.
It just gets too hot.

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

West exposure is fine, but during the summer, you have to watch out for heat buildup.

I'm sure there are all the names for different types of window blinds, but the ones with wide plastic or wooden piece, they are the worst for plants as they block out most of the light. well, if you close them all the way or nearly so.

I also have a metal blind of such type painted white. but because it blocks out most of the light when drawn, I do not use them at all. They are always all the way to the top and stay there. lol

I use sheer curtain. a bit too coarse I think although every orchid survived through the summer.
I plant to put in one more layer of the same material or replace with something that lets slightly less light through during the summer.
It just gets too hot.

Completely random suggestion: I've seen a lot of people make blinds out of tablecloths for a cost effective window treatment..I imagine something of that nature would be easy to find in a pattern or color you'd like without the necessity to spend like $100 on curtains. Also, they'd probably be more sheer than a proper curtain so you may get more light through the fabric...If that kind of thing matters to you, lol. I'm a student so it matters to me.

[NYCorchidman]

Well, unless the tablecloths are lacey decorative types or made of very coarse linen, I'm afraid they will block too much light in general.

I've seen some nice sheer curtain that would work nearly perfect for orchids and for us humans at places like HD and it was around 40-50 if I remember correctly. not too bad isn't it?

If you want something much cheaper, then the fish net like sheer curtain I bought at IKEA for $12.
They are huge and you have to cut them and use as two layers. They are not as pretty for the house as say the ones sold at HD, but I am used to them now. I mean they are not that bad, but serve the purpose and look pretty neat I think.

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Well, unless the tablecloths are lacey decorative types or made of very coarse linen, I'm afraid they will block too much light in general.

I've seen some nice sheer curtain that would work nearly perfect for orchids and for us humans at places like HD and it was around 40-50 if I remember correctly. not too bad isn't it?

If you want something much cheaper, then the fish net like sheer curtain I bought at IKEA for $12.
They are huge and you have to cut them and use as two layers. They are not as pretty for the house as say the ones sold at HD, but I am used to them now. I mean they are not that bad, but serve the purpose and look pretty neat I think.

Good point. So by sheer curtains you mean literally pretty much see through. All this time I was thinking something light and thin that blocked the direct light but that you still couldn't completely see outside with would be enough. :P I'm sure I can splurge $40 for curtains. But I will probably use my tablecloth idea in other parts of my house, like the bedroom, where the orchids won't live. xD Just because...have you seen some of the curtains out there? Yuck. :P

[PaxTea]

I am now thinking about something like this: ÅDERBLAD Panel curtain - IKEA

I guess I'll have to look at it in person to see how sheer it really is, but I bet something can be found at ikea. Don't forget the fabric store, either. You can probably buy sheer white fabric by the yard for less than you'd pay for the tablecloth.

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by PaxTea

I am now thinking about something like this: ÅDERBLAD Panel curtain - IKEA

I guess I'll have to look at it in person to see how sheer it really is, but I bet something can be found at ikea. Don't forget the fabric store, either. You can probably buy sheer white fabric by the yard for less than you'd pay for the tablecloth.

I looked at their curtains the other day, haha, funny that that is the only one I could moderately stand. I have thought about fabric by the yard but I don't have access to a sewing machine...nor do I know how to use one. I'm sure I can find something good and sheer. Between myself and my fiance we can pick up the price. I just enjoy being more frugal cuz I'd rather save for my honeymoon and student loans than curtains. :P Hehe.

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by butterfly_muse

Good point. So by sheer curtains you mean literally pretty much see through. All this time I was thinking something light and thin that blocked the direct light but that you still couldn't completely see outside with would be enough. :P I'm sure I can splurge $40 for curtains. But I will probably use my tablecloth idea in other parts of my house, like the bedroom, where the orchids won't live. xD Just because...have you seen some of the curtains out there? Yuck. :P

Yeah, sheer as in see through sheer. The kind you describe is not good for plants as it blocks all the light out basically. Your plants will still live but you may never see them bloom again with such curtain between the light source and the plants.

I think pretty looking tablecloths will make for great curtain where there are no plants.

Yeah, there are more than I could imagine. and some are not so pretty but some people have very different taste to say the least.