western window too bright film questions

[gardengirl13]

Right now, and for the last few weeks the sun has really been beating down on our kitchen window. We've only been living here since late Nov so I'm not sure how it'll be in summer due to the trees and shrubs right outside the windows. I'm thinking of putting up one of those window films that stick on the glass. But now I'm worried that it'll block too much light. I assume it'll block more then a shear curtain would. But I'd rather not have to deal with a curtain since the plants are right up on the sill. I'd also like to be able to open the windows to let air in and the shear won't allow that.

anyone use those window films with success or failure?

[LovePhals]

I tried one, and it was a horrible failure. Very hard to get all the bubbles out! I ended up doing a sheer curtain. I hope it works better for you.

[Optimist]

So your trees and bushes are not deciduous? If they were the leaves would cover them by summer and your problem might have ben solved. Putting some kind of shade trellise over the windows outdoors is another option.

[gardengirl13]

The window has the screen on the inside and opens out. So I can't do anything on the outside. yes they are deciduous so summer will be ok. But right now the sun is very strong in the window. I'm growing a rosemary plant in the bathroom which is maybe 5' from the kitchen window, and it's got new growth like it's outside in summer. So yeah it's strong ha ha! The leaves of the orchids are right up against the screen and adding a shear to it might be not work due to limited space on the sill. But I might see about putting the shear in between the screen and the window for now and in summer take it back out so we can open the window.

[AnonYMouse]

I have a privacy film on a east window. It is enough light for good vegetative growth. I have flowered a catt hybrid and an Angraecum distichum in that light. I have a couple of other catt hybrids there with red leaves. I have another catt that should have flowered by now.

So, I'm think it is going to depend on the plant.

[WhiteRabbit]

It will depend on how long that window gets direct sun in summer ... but as the light it gradually increasing, the plants will acclimate to the increased sun. If it gets direct sun, no shade, all afternoon, it may be too much for some orchids.

And I have learned to watch for when the temps spike quickly to much hotter than it has been - sometimes my orchids in west facing windows burn when that happens

[Bud]

the critical point is between 11am to 3pm....this is when the leaves burn from direct sun....add the window glass factor = you have a magnified sunlight on the leaves....
a roll of cellophane glass tint or mylar reflector taped on all sides of the window frame might work, but you have to remove it in the summer when the trees are in full foliage.

[gardengirl13]

Yeah I don't want to have to remove it then put it back up again. I guess I'll have to figure out how to do the sheer without it getting in the way. I could just buy some material and make on myself I guess to insure the fit. Thanks everyone!!! As for the bathroom, maybe I'll put the film there and grow slightly lower light phals there. We want the privacy of the shutters, but I hate not getting light in there. I think phals will do well with the film since it'll still be quite bright but not burning sun. Now in summer will phals be ok in a western window that has this film and leaves blocking light too? Right now they get sun from 1pm-5pm after 5 it's much weaker. Still there but fine for just about any orchid.