How do I acclimate orchids to full and direct sunlight without killing them?

[mimigirl]

I started a new thread with a similar question. I have pretty much the same plants as above and some oncidium. They are in a s/w window but i m concerned about temps. In new orleans our summer days get in mid to high 90's. Are they OK in that temp outside? I can adjust the sun by moving their position out there

[Subrosa]

New Orleans is a different kettle of fish entirely. The sun will be much stronger than in the PNW, or even here on the mid-Atlantic. You will definitely want to hear from some more southerly growers on sun tolerance in your area.

[flexdc]

Just as another reply said, you do not need to worry about your southern exposure during the summer, because the sun will be directly over head and your window will be in bright shade which is perfect for these orchids.
In my experience, winter full sun with no shade for all three will do them no harm at all. The sunlight is simply not strong enough. You will have to watch out during spring and fall. Right around now, the sun can burn plants all the sudden if you are not careful. You can move the plants a few inches away from the window, and or put some other leafy plants in front of the orchids to filter out some of the sunlight.
BTW, you know that your Dendrobiums will need a cool dry rest between thanks giving and say valentines day to flower well right? If you can't provide cool, let them dry out. By drying out I mean no water. Mist occasionally and water lightly only once a month in the winter. Water and fertilize heavily during growth period.

Andrew

[AuGrower]

Originally Posted by mimigirl

I started a new thread with a similar question. I have pretty much the same plants as above and some oncidium. They are in a s/w window but i m concerned about temps. In new orleans our summer days get in mid to high 90's. Are they OK in that temp outside? I can adjust the sun by moving their position out there

I would say they should be fine as long as they are shaded. Our sun is so strong and it gets so hot in the summer down here, I don't think I could grow anything orchidwise in full sun. I wouldn't overly worry about the temp too much unless its a crazy high number. I think a little morning sun and shade the rest of the day would be good. Its a lot cooler in the shade with air movement for them.

[astrid]

Originally Posted by mimigirl

I started a new thread with a similar question. I have pretty much the same plants as above and some oncidium. They are in a s/w window but i m concerned about temps. In new orleans our summer days get in mid to high 90's. Are they OK in that temp outside? I can adjust the sun by moving their position out there

Don't put your oncidiums in direct sun!! They like really bright shade. I put them adjacent to my windows so that they get the most light, but no direct sun actually hits them. It's not very hot here probably compared to New Orleans, so advice for me isn't necessarily going to work for you!!


---------- Post added at 10:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:16 AM ----------

Originally Posted by flexdc

Just as another reply said, you do not need to worry about your southern exposure during the summer, because the sun will be directly over head and your window will be in bright shade which is perfect for these orchids.
In my experience, winter full sun with no shade for all three will do them no harm at all. The sunlight is simply not strong enough. You will have to watch out during spring and fall. Right around now, the sun can burn plants all the sudden if you are not careful. You can move the plants a few inches away from the window, and or put some other leafy plants in front of the orchids to filter out some of the sunlight.
BTW, you know that your Dendrobiums will need a cool dry rest between thanks giving and say valentines day to flower well right? If you can't provide cool, let them dry out. By drying out I mean no water. Mist occasionally and water lightly only once a month in the winter. Water and fertilize heavily during growth period.

Andrew

Yeah, I knew that bout dens.

I have really limited growing space and no "outside" that belongs to me, so I have to be careful. I am already plotting on how to get the orchids to rebloom in the next year since I can't put them outside... I think I'll put them in the extra mini fridge that I have each night, hah!!

Thanks for the tips!

As for the sun, though, I horribly burned one of my phals in two days of a 3-hour sun exposure or less. See the thread: http://www.orchidboard.com/community...just-toss.html

Now the phal has this big, black-edged and white-centered dried up burn, so I am quite afraid of leaving my plants in direct sunshine, even knowing that phals v dens and cattleyas are quite different!

[flexdc]

Originally Posted by astrid

Don't put your oncidiums in direct sun!! They like really bright shade. I put them adjacent to my windows so that they get the most light, but no direct sun actually hits them. It's not very hot here probably compared to New Orleans, so advice for me isn't necessarily going to work for you!!


---------- Post added at 10:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:16 AM ----------



Yeah, I knew that bout dens.

I have really limited growing space and no "outside" that belongs to me, so I have to be careful. I am already plotting on how to get the orchids to rebloom in the next year since I can't put them outside... I think I'll put them in the extra mini fridge that I have each night, hah!!

Thanks for the tips!

As for the sun, though, I horribly burned one of my phals in two days of a 3-hour sun exposure or less. See the thread: http://www.orchidboard.com/community...just-toss.html

Now the phal has this big, black-edged and white-centered dried up burn, so I am quite afraid of leaving my plants in direct sunshine, even knowing that phals v dens and cattleyas are quite different!

I have a no sun for Phals policy. They are quite happy in deep shade. That said in the middle of winter, bright shade should be adequate for them. But note, Phals, Miltonopsis and paphs are notoriously easy to burn!

Andrew

[astrid]

Originally Posted by flexdc

I have a no sun for Phals policy. They are quite happy in deep shade. That said in the middle of winter, bright shade should be adequate for them. But note, Phals, Miltonopsis and paphs are notoriously easy to burn!

Andrew

Oh interesting! Maybe I ought do adopt that one as well. It's a weird journey of trial and error I'm going through, though!!

I keep most of my orchids in shaded bright sun (I use lined paper in the window to diffuse the light) but these new guys (cattleya, dendrobium nobile and kingianum, and brassavola) are leaving me on uncertain ground. I suppose I'll keep trying to acclimate them and see what happens.

[NYCorchidman]

For many orchids, there is no such thing as acclimating to full sun.

Each genera or species have their ideal and maximum limit, and once you go over this line, they will show you how unhappy they are.

Dendrobium nobile hybrid and nodosa will take full sun with no problem, but I'd be worried about the other two.

Cattleyas need a lot of strong light, but many will gradually yellow and you will definitely see stress. When you see this, move the plant further in.
Den. kingianum is a tough plant but see how it does in the full sun. How do you like the fragrance of it? lol

For now, I would not place the two flowering ones in the sunny south window.
The life span of the flowers will be greatly reduced under such conditions.

[astrid]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

For many orchids, there is no such thing as acclimating to full sun.

Each genera or species have their ideal and maximum limit, and once you go over this line, they will show you how unhappy they are.

Dendrobium nobile hybrid and nodosa will take full sun with no problem, but I'd be worried about the other two.

Cattleyas need a lot of strong light, but many will gradually yellow and you will definitely see stress. When you see this, move the plant further in.
Den. kingianum is a tough plant but see how it does in the full sun. How do you like the fragrance of it? lol

For now, I would not place the two flowering ones in the sunny south window.
The life span of the flowers will be greatly reduced under such conditions.

Oh shit the flowers! You're probably right - I guess I'll acclimate them more later. The den kingianum is so so pretty as more and more flowers are opening!! And like I said in the other post, it smells like honey, and now a sweet sugar smell is coming out with it. It isn't overpowering, either.

Thanks for the info about the cattleya, too. It is a hybrid of a few types and is more specifically a sophralaeliocattleya. I guess I'll keep an eye on it in the bright light!!

Oh man working out lighting conditions is an adventure and a half!!