3 Novice Questions About New Phalaenopsis

[HiOrcDen]

Hi all! This is my first post. We just bought a few Phalaenopsis plants today. I am a relative novice with orchids. I have three questions I need clarification on to get started with them...

First, I noticed that the plants' leaves are tilted somewhat, and I'm thinking its towards the angle where they were receiving sun. Should I set the plants at the same angle to the sun, as I gather this might keep buds from dropping, and boost flowering? Please let me know if my conjecture is right!

Second, what is the ideal range for light level, in foot-candles, for Phalaenopsis? And is it truly best to be towards the upper part of the range, for flowering?

Third, what are keepers' thoughts on light meter apps for the smartphone, and would anyone recommend one in particular?

Thanks in advance

[bil]

Yeah, phals lean towards the light, like all plants, but it is best to keep them at the same orientation..

Light levels, 1,000 to 1,800 foot candles I think. Definitely no direct sun.

My suggestion would be, start thrashing thru the sticky that says "The phal abuse stops here"

Also google phal culture. There's a wealth of info out there.

Best of luck, and welcome to the board.

Sorry, I know nothing about light meters. You may have to experiment a bit.. in the end you get a feel for it, but you will get a few sunburned leaves along the way.

[HiOrcDen]

Thank you for the valuable information. And for the well wishes, it's good to be here!

By the way I couldn't find a button for thanking a post!

[bil]

Originally Posted by HiOrcDen

Thank you for the valuable information. And for the well wishes, it's good to be here!

By the way I couldn't find a button for thanking a post!

Be warned. Orchids are more addictive than heroin. You keep hearing people say "I just want one more fix/orchid..."

[HiOrcDen]

Originally Posted by bil

Be warned. Orchids are more addictive than heroin. You keep hearing people say "I just want one more fix/orchid..."

Thanks for the warning. I'm already hooked from browsing sellers' websites a few days! I've probably already found about twenty that I must have, now

[camille1585]

Welcome to Orchidboard!!

A great many Phals have a natural tendency to lean/grow sideways, it's more similar to the growth habits they have in the wild. That seems to have nothing to do with light orientation, and it seems to happens more as the plant ages.
Changes in light orientation as new leaves are growing causes helicopter leaves, where the leaves point in all directions. I tend to leave mine facing the same way all the time, and never rotate them once buds have started to form.

As to light, which area do you live in? I don't have a light meter, and have just learned from experience which orchids like what spot.
Phals like brighter light that is usually assumed. For most people that means bright, indirect light, either near a window but no direct sun, or behind some sheer curtains. At my northernly latitude, they do fine with several hours of direct sun every day. (and grow/bloom better than in indirect light)

[terracotta7]

I agree with all the above. Many of my phals lean sideways. Even if I try to straighten them when I repot they seem to keep on leanin'. I just go with it and we are both happier

I have been growing orchids for a few years now and I don't have a light meter. By trial and error I have found out which window on which side of the house each one prefers. My phals like more light than I would have originally thought and like Camille they do get a few hours of pretty direct sun in the am, but seem to do better that way. In the summer months, when the leaves on the trees come back on, they are more protected from that same angle of sun, so it all works!

Check out the sticky bil recommends. It is excellent!

AND...Welcome to OB. So glad to have you here!

[bil]

Originally Posted by HiOrcDen

Thanks for the warning. I'm already hooked from browsing sellers' websites a few days! I've probably already found about twenty that I must have, now

See? Doomed, just like the rest of us!

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by HiOrcDen

Thank you for the valuable information. And for the well wishes, it's good to be here!

By the way I couldn't find a button for thanking a post!

Welcome to OrchidBoard The button for "thanking" is under the entire post on the lower left, with the little thumbs up picture. It says "like this post". Thanks/likes same button.

[Tschimm]

Welcome !
If you are browsing OB with tapatalk, there's no thanks button available. (What a bummer)