Can I go without a sheer in a western window?

[gardengirl13]

OK so I know this has been gone over many times, but I keep getting conflicting info from different sources.

I have three west windows, 1 currently has 2 orchids in it, the second will be getting some in the next few days. The third will only be used if needed, since I'm never really in that room and like to see the chids a few times a day.

I just bought tension rods for the sheers I made and now someone told me in our area they're not needed. She said that most of the info is more based on southern state light, not up here in NY. She said keep an eye on them, but most all should be ok with the sun in those windows.

Is this ok? I have a catt coming which can handle regular phal type light, and a bunch of phals. There are trees/shrubs outside these windows so in summer they might be shaded, I'm not sure yet. But since we've been here in late nov they get sun from about 1pm on. I do regularly go feel the leaves, they're slightly warm, but not alarmingly. No signs of burn. The color all seem fine. But they're a bllra and an onc, no phals yet. Now with the time change they get sun more like 2-2:30. In summer I'm wondering if they'll get any at all.

So do I need these sheers, or are they ok without?

---------- Post added at 11:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:53 AM ----------

Ok I need more info on other stuff too. I've been looking for a good book on phal culture that will tell me detailed info about different kinds. I can't find anything. I'm not sure how detailed the info is on the AOS site if I become a member, but $65 seems high after I spent a little too much on plants. I have a few books, but they don't get into stuff I'm wondering about.

Like the above question, it pertains to MY location, not just general culture. Yes I know what a phal needs, but are they writing from a FL/TX/CA perspective? How someone grows in FL is a LOT different from how I grow. I know there are ranges a bit, which do help. I mean I guess asking here normally gives me answers for the most part, but sometimes people disagree and I'm not sure who to listen to. I know the best one to listen to is the plant, but I don't want it to die telling me I'm doing it wrong. I guess I just want the best like everyone else here, and don't know where the most reliable resources are. Most of the books and journals are basic. Then the more scientific ones just confuse me. Is there something in the middle?