All Moved In...Some Questions

[butterfly_muse]

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!

We are semi-moved in, at least I can cook breakfast and use the shower and sleep, so that's good.

I had a few questions regarding the placement of my 'chids. The window is oriented NW, but more West than North, if that makes any sense? The sun is dappled by some trees outside but it's still fairly shady right up against the building until ~5ish in the evening. I have attached some pictures, the first two are evening, the last two are morning (I just took them maybe 20 minutes ago). I wanted to know a) if that's enough light and b) if it's not, how many lights do you think I need to supplement what is here at the window?

My next question is that some of my leaves have gotten kind of limp and wrinkly, much like they do when they get sunburned or too cold...they're not black or anything like they are burned, but the temperature hasn't dropped below 58-60 over the weekend, so I can't figure out what's wrong. I have had the window open for the afternoon/evening (but I have not left it open during the night), and the temperature has been ~65 during the day. Right now it's around 70 and is supposed to get up to 75 today....so are they too cold? Are they burning under intense light in the evening in some areas? It's not all of them, and it seems to be the lower leaves on 3 of the plants that are having issues. There is an A/C vent directly under the window, but thanks to BG&E, temperate air that is maybe 72 degrees at best is wisping out of the vent like a really weak breeze (they just installed smart meters, and try as we might, nobody in the building can get their thermostats under 75 degrees, us included)....hence the windows being open. Angry phone call tomorrow. :P

I bought a calibration kit for our agrometer and it's in the bag right now, I should have it all ready to go by this evening. Until then, I can't give you an absolute temp/humidity for the window.

Any ideas what might be going on with their leaves? Are they just upset because I moved them? Are they getting too much light, not enough light? HELP!

Thanks!

[OhioBob]

From your evening pictures it looks like the plants are getting enough direct sunlight. It is my experience that phals don't really need it too bright to thrive. I say this as I have several phals at work that get 30 minutes of morning sun in the summer and then the overhead office light.
As for the leafs being limp I would first make sure they are getting enough water. When I moved I needed to increase my watering schedule. If you think it is just some plants that are being sunburned I suggest moving plants around. You may find a section of the window sill gets too much sun and you either need find a sun tolerant orchid or leave it empty. You can acclimate a plant to more sun by slowly increasing its exposure to the sun. Invariably I need to do that when I move plants outdoors.

Good luck.

[stylingpat]

Nice big window!

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by OhioBob

From your evening pictures it looks like the plants are getting enough direct sunlight. It is my experience that phals don't really need it too bright to thrive. I say this as I have several phals at work that get 30 minutes of morning sun in the summer and then the overhead office light.
As for the leafs being limp I would first make sure they are getting enough water. When I moved I needed to increase my watering schedule. If you think it is just some plants that are being sunburned I suggest moving plants around. You may find a section of the window sill gets too much sun and you either need find a sun tolerant orchid or leave it empty. You can acclimate a plant to more sun by slowly increasing its exposure to the sun. Invariably I need to do that when I move plants outdoors.

Good luck.

Alright, thank you! I'll keep an eye on them and see what I need to do. They probably do need to be watered. Our faucet adapter for our water filter doesn't fit on the new faucet so I've had to use the pitcher water, which doesn't flow as long/nicely as the faucet *le sigh*
Thanks for your reply.

[SlipperGirl]

What do the roots look like? If they are brown and mushy to much water, if they are dry and wrinkled to little water.

The light looks good to me

Congratulations on the move

[Leafmite]

The air condition might just be drying them out faster or more shade might dry them more slowly, causing root damage. Moves mean a change in environment and adjustment. Perhaps using the skewer method to see how quickly the medium dries in the center would be helpful. Good luck and hope your new place becomes a happy haven!

[butterfly_muse]

It actually seems that the light is too much. The sun comes around to that side of the building around 2-3 o'clock and a great number of them have very hot leaves and are turning black - so they're burning. I have moved them down off the ledge onto the top of a bookshelf situated next to the window (see pictures) - does that look better? Is the light getting in too intense still? Should I just get some sheer blinds?

And any recommendations as to some orchids that can take that intense of light from 2-3 pm until 8 pm daily in a west window? Cattleyas, maybe? Phals obviously can't. :\

[SlipperGirl]

Originally Posted by butterfly_muse

It actually seems that the light is too much. The sun comes around to that side of the building around 2-3 o'clock and a great number of them have very hot leaves and are turning black - so they're burning. I have moved them down off the ledge onto the top of a bookshelf situated next to the window (see pictures) - does that look better? Is the light getting in too intense still? Should I just get some sheer blinds?

And any recommendations as to some orchids that can take that intense of light from 2-3 pm until 8 pm daily in a west window? Cattleyas, maybe? Phals obviously can't. :\

the light looks good to me, you may just need to move them around until you find what they like.

I would think catt, dens and phrags would like the window. I think dens like a bit more light then phals, you would think I would know for sure if they did sense I have 3 floating around here I think Onc like more light also, I am kind of surprised that the phals don't like that window.

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by SlipperGirl

the light looks good to me, you may just need to move them around until you find what they like.

I would think catt, dens and phrags would like the window. I think dens like a bit more light then phals, you would think I would know for sure if they did sense I have 3 floating around here I think Onc like more light also, I am kind of surprised that the phals don't like that window.

I was worried that it would be not enough light because the window is northwest, but my two big ones have had their leaves lighten considerably over the course of just a few days and I have other leaves on the other plants getting wrinkled and limp and turning black, so it's way too much for them. I think another part of it is that windows magnify, and it is also starting to get very hot. It's supposed to be 90+ for the rest of the week and I don't think it will break any time in the future. Ironically our old window was Southeast facing and I thought a lot more light got in there than here, but they were always behind the blinds, so perhaps it's just a shock for them? I've been wanting to try some Catts, maybe this will be my excuse...xD

[SlipperGirl]

Originally Posted by butterfly_muse

I've been wanting to try some Catts, maybe this will be my excuse...xD

I would recommend getting hybrid for your first catt.