north south east west SUN confusion - Orchid Board

tokidoki · #1 03-03-2008, 04:23 PM

hello, can someone pleeease explain to me what is a north, south, east, and west sun.. i clearly dont get it

i woant to be sure that my orchids are in the right place... thank you in advance

(..._...) · #2 03-03-2008, 05:25 PM

the position talkes about the direction a window faces ( north window, south window etc. )

the north window gets not direct sun, and often does not have enough light for even phals or phaph, on the other hand , a south facing window gets somtimes to much direct sun, and requires shade of some sort for the orchids
does that answer your question?

Ross · #3 03-03-2008, 05:45 PM

I agree, plus most orchids are easiest managed in a south-facing window because it is easiest to control the light. If I were able, I would opt for a bay window facing south because it would get early morning light from est as well as late afternoon light from west. But if I could only choose one direction, it would be south.

tokidoki · #4 03-03-2008, 06:18 PM

and to determine which window is north or south or vice versa, its required u know what direction in ur house is north and south or east or west? hmmm...i need a compass for that lol

Ross · #5 03-03-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tokidoki

and to determine which window is north or south or vice versa, its required u know what direction in ur house is north and south or east or west? hmmm...i need a compass for that lol

Actually no. What window does the sun shine in when it comes up in the morning? What window does sun shine when it goes down at night. Get it?

tokidoki · #6 03-03-2008, 07:32 PM

OH ok.. so the window that light shines in the morning is a north window sun? and the window that sun shines in before night is a south? is that right? lol

Ross · #7 03-03-2008, 07:37 PM

Noooo! The one the sun shines in in the morning is EAST! The one it sets in the afternoon is WEST! Get it!?

tokidoki · #8 03-03-2008, 08:02 PM

OH OK hehe

Gwenchanter · #9 03-03-2008, 08:23 PM

Actually you don't ever need a compass to see what direction you are faceing. (except maybe at high noon)The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. (unless you live close to the north or south pole).

Now, if you live in the northern hemisphere (above the equator) that means the sun's path in the sky will be slightly to the south. Thats why a south facing window will get sun all day long. If you look out a south facing window in the morning, the sun will be rising on your left (to the east). If you look out in the evening, it will be setting on your right.(west) The north side of the house, and a north facing window, will be shaded by the house since the sun will be somewhere to the south Now, if you live in Australia or New Zealand or any country south of the equator, it's the opposite and the sun will be in the northern direction for most of the year and the south will be shaded. Understand?

I grow my phals on a west facing porch in sunny Florida. That way, they are shaded most of the day including when the sun is straight up in the sky at noon. Then in the evening when the sun is setting, they get some sunlight. However, when the sun is low on the horizon the rays are filtered through more of the earth's atmosphere and therefore are not as harsh as the middle of the day. My phals seem to like it, and they have to have at least some sunlight to bloom. If you live in a place where you don't get much sun during the winter, a south facing window may be a better choice because you will get as much sun in the winter as you can, and during the summer you can shade it if the sun is too harsh.

So here is a quick guide for the northern hemisphere (USA) if you are still confused:

South- all day sun
East - only sun in the morning
West - only sun in the evening
North - always shaded