Adequate Sunlight for Cattleya

[DesignerofBeauty]

Hello All,

This is my first post here...
About a year ago, I purchased a "blooming size" Cattleya Otaara Hwa Yuan Bay 'She Shu' AM/OROC. I purchased from Kawamoto Orchids, a trusted orchid supplier.

It has been a year, and my orchid hasn't bloomed. For a while now, I have suspected that the orchid isn't receiving adequate sunlight. In the meanwhile, I recently purchased a cattleya hybrid (Sophrolaeliocattleya Crystelle Smith 'Aileen' AM/AOS). When it arrived in the mail, I noticed that the leaf color was slightly more yellow-green.

My cattleyas are in a SW facing window, but I'm considering purchasing a CFL bulb to supplement the light. Before I provide too much light, can you guys tell me if it appears that the leaves on my older cattleya are too dark? The larger orchid is the cattleya I've had for a year. The smaller one is the slc cattleya hybrid I just purchased.

Thanks!

[Dollythehun]

Good question. I just gave away two beautiful mini catts because I couldn't apparently give them enough light in my e/s windows. Now that I'very been on OB for awhile, I regret that. I bought lights to supplement but, I wonder if I was also impatient as the plants were only 3 years old.
So, to add to the OP's question, are there catts that require less light?

[rbarata]

The smaller one it's a little bit lighter but, probably due to the light source in the photo, they are almost the same...too dark.
An important info to give you good advice is your location. As you know, light duration decreases with the increase of the latitude.

[DesignerofBeauty]

So a CFL bulb would be helpful here. I live in New England.

[Dollythehun]

My understanding is they should look almost bleached. You are correct, Middle America is dreary in winter.
Where are you, Designer?

---------- Post added at 05:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:22 PM ----------

Yes. Very helpful.

[rbarata]

New England is maybe too up north for you to have good quality light. But it also depends on the climate. I'm fortunate to live in a country that has a lot of sunshine, even in winter.

[DesignerofBeauty]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

My understanding is they should look almost bleached. You are correct, Middle America is dreary in winter.
Where are you, Designer?

---------- Post added at 05:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:22 PM ----------

Yes. Very helpful.

I'm in Rhode Island .

---------- Post added at 05:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:28 PM ----------

If artificial light is recommended, would you suggest a CFL bulb? My cattleyas are right near my phals and other orchids (which are doing fine). I don't want to over-expose them.

---------- Post added at 05:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:32 PM ----------

I also added pictures of my current setup.

[Dollythehun]

You have just opened the door to a detailed conversation. After this, I will bow out. I bought an attractive set of t5s and hung them high. On the top shelf I put the light lovers and then descending in requirements. Even the plants on the edges have benefited. I live in this space, so I chose attractive lights over the best specifications.

[rbarata]

My cattleyas are right near my phals and other orchids (which are doing fine).

If your phals are doing fine with that light then it's too low for catts. Phals have low-intermediate light requirements. Catts are high light.

[DesignerofBeauty]

Originally Posted by rbarata

If your phals are doing fine with that light then it's too low for catts. Phals have low-intermediate light requirements. Catts are high light.

Yes, that's a good point. However, I put the phals further away from the window (and a bit behind the cats. for some shade), and to the edges of the window where they don't get direct light. The cats are right against the window in direct light. I just added a picture of my setup.