How Much Light?

[Chlorophile]

I just got my first two Lycaste's from Sunset Valley Orchids- Lycaste Pixie and Lycaste Forêt de Haye. I'm getting mixed information about how much light they need.

I have an LED shelving set up with two different distances from the lights. One is set for paphs and phals and the other I have succulents, carnivorous plants, and a Brassavola nodosa. The nodosa has some nice purple spotting and the other plants develop red tones so I know the light is quite bright.

My other option is I have a Southern facing window that has trees in front of it, I grow mainly catasetums in this window.

Where would the best spot for the Lycastes be? I'm thinking the higher light LED shelf but am worried about burning them.

[Ray]

According to the AOS, deciduous lycastes should be given cattleya light levels, while evergreens required levels more like paphs.

[kvet]

If the bulb is wrinkling, does that mean I should up my watering a little? I have the second one you mentioned, with the fancy fronch name. I'm waiting for the medium to just about dry out, similar to my other orchids, but when I see pictures of others, theirs are not as wrinkly. Mine was "full" when purchased.

I do really like these little ones!

[Clawhammer]

I got both of these from Fred yesterday

Cattleya light levels.

[hypostatic]

Oh, the lycaste are wonderful! I also got the Forêt de Haye from SVO!

If you have catasetinae, culture is pretty similar.

During the active growth of the new bulbs, they need a high amount of water and fertilizer. If the bulbs are shriveling, you are under-watering. I personally also significantly increase the fertilization schedule, in comparison to my other "normal" orchids.

Grow in "high" light; AOS recommends 2000-4000 FC. If you don't have one, I'd suggest getting a digital light meter. It's one of the best gifts you can give yourself as an orchid grower -- otherwise you're really just guessing whether you're giving too little/much light.

I have accidentally left my lycaste out overnight in the summer, and I can confirm that they CAN get burnt and sun damaged

Eventually the leaves will fall off, and the lycaste will enter a kind of dormancy period. Significantly reduce watering, and only water if the newer bulbs start to get wrinkly.