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?

[MattWoelfsen]

Windows facing west are very similar to windows facing east. I live in Fort Wayne, Indiana, so we are probably within the same latitude. I have my Phalaenopsis growing in my eastern facing windows without any window covers, except venetian blinds that are completely open.

I also have windows in the west...because this side of the house is much cooler, I have cool growing plants like Neofinetia falcata and Masdevallia in this area. This brings up another item for you to consider, room temperature and access to good, fresh air.

[gardengirl13]

the bedroom is warmer then the rest of the house by about 4*, which is annoying since i can get hot at night even with the temp set down to 62*. But by the windows it's about 59-60 due to the curtains being closed at night. But during the day it's about 68* since I'm home all day and HATE being cold!

I think what I'll try is keeping the sheers open during the morning and then once the sun hits the plants check them often and close them if they get too warm. So far it's not bad. With the time change they're not getting hit with mid-day sun like they were. And as I said they've been there for 3+ months and their leaves haven't changed color or anything at all, and I only put up the sheer two days ago. So maybe it's not needed. I'll pay good attention to them though.

[Bulbofett]

I'd let your plants get used to having a little protection. Use the sheer for a few weeks, or even a month and see how they're doing. Then you can decide if they need the sheer still after that. Better to be safe than sorry. Once the leaf gets burned it isn't coming back, so I'm always cautious about introducing more light.

[Bud]

The west facing window can get intense between 1pm to 4pm....I am speaking of my bathroom window in Manhattan and you are just 10 to 20 miles away from me.... I don't directly put my plants near the glass....I devised hanging hooks that makes it a foot away from the glass....but no sheer curtains because in the mornings it has lesser light.

[orchidsarefun]

I find the late afternoon sun to be too hot in an unshaded west-facing window. I have a shade cloth ( aluminet ) up permanently and successfully grow about 20 orchids in racks.

[gardengirl13]

Yeah with the sun today I tested it with the sheer, it's not really a thick sheer and the sun still comes through. It's warm behind it but not hot, so the sheer will stay. I almost might need a thicker one, but for now we'll see. In a few weeks the leaves will cover the sun for the most part.

thanks everyone!! I knew I could trust you guys over what I hear from other people!

Keris every time I see your user name I just laugh! Love it!

[Ferns Daddy]

I don't put any of my orchids in the west window from early March until late Oct. the sun hits the window from around 1:00 pm until it sets around 7;pm its cooks every thing I put there, I would be careful on how close they are to the window.

[james mickelso]

I'd put the sheer up. Experimenting with exposures and orchids....you get one opps and they are toast. Better to err on the cautious side.

[gardengirl13]

Actually I doubled it up since the sun was still coming through pretty good. Once I did that it was still bright, but cooled it way down. I have a single layer still in the kitchen, but those two like higher light, plus the trees block most of the sun.

And don't worry the one I'm experimenting with the most the orchids are on a delivery truck for tomorrow, nothings in there yet but a rosemary plant! The kitchen has orchids, but they've been there for months now with the sheer and they're fine. They went from a sheer covered south window with lots of sun to this, so they're used to lots of light. The onc gets less sun and is a nice medium green, the bllra is a nice lighter green and healthy looking with new leaf growth. I watch them a few times a day to check for changes. I'll add another sheer doubled up on this too if needed. But in a month with leaves on the trees I might not get even ten minutes of sun on them. So who knows?!