Cattleyas, Vandas and Sun

[FL_GROWER82]

I have two Cattleya and Vanda Hybrids that are currently taking up residence outside. My lanai faces north and gets virtually no light in the winter and I do not have any south or east facing windows in my apartment...we will call that bad architectural planning.

...but...

Would it be harmful for the Cattleyas and Vandas to be given some early morning direct sunlight? It would go to partial sunlight by around 1 in the afternoon. I know that Cattleyas and Vandas like sunlight but I do not want to burn them.

I have consulted a couple of resources but who better to ask than you all.

[cb977]

The majority of my vandas are hanging around the pool which is on the north side of the house. They get 20% shade from the screening but other than that, they're out there taking the full day's full sun. The Catts get more late afternoon sun in winter because of the way they're set up in the orchid room but during the summer, I've had them out on racks around the pool too. Just keep an eye on them. If you see the leaves turning lighter, or getting a reddish tinge to them, you'll know it's a bit too much and you can move them. In my opinion, you have to be willing to experiment...it's how we learn

[kavanaru]

...but be carefull if your plants were not receiving so much sun during the last time, they can get burned quite easilly... I would try to adapt them slowly to the new sunny conditions... a relatively easy way to check if too much sun is to touch the leaves, if they are warm, then it is too much sun

[cb977]

Forgot to mention that...nice save, Ramon

[FL_GROWER82]

Thank you very very much...this has been quite a help and much appreciated.

Thank you!!