Orchids for direct sun/bright light
 

Any suggestions on orchids that can tolerate strong light or even direct sun? I currently grow vandas at 500+ PPFD and would like something else to grow along with them. Also open to ideas on other smallish tropical plants that would work at these high levels of light :hmm

Thanks!

A lot depends on good air circulation to carry away heat, and adequate watering. There is a vast range of tropical full-sun plants, many of which you would need to keep pruned. Some Bromeliads come to mind. Browse rarepalmseeds.com, gardinonursery.com and toptropicals.com for some information.

Brassavola nodosa and hybrids; many Catasetum hybrids; many Cattleya, especially intermedia and bifoliates; many Eulophia, especially petersii; Laelia purpurata; rupicolous Laelias and hybrids (SVO); some Renanthera and hybrids; smaller Sobralia; many Tolumnia; Vanilla.

As for orchids, I've seen some Dendrobiums grow in the wild at full sun. One of them I can ID for sure is Dendrobium curmenatum. Also check out Dendros in general, I think some others can tolerate full sun as well.

Spathoglottis plicata is another orchid that I've seen taking up full sun.

As for other tropical plants, the classic Mimosa pudica (Sensitive plant, shy plant, whatever you call it) can definitely handle full sun.

Papilionanthe

So, please don't take this the wrong way but can we assume you are talking about artificial light vs. sunlight? I mean, you're in Canada where it is dark for half the year just like it is here in NH which is why I go as far away as possible in the winter.

One plant that fits what you describe is Arachnis. A close relative of Vanda which wants to grow in full sun. But again, it's not going to like winter anywhere north of probably Orlando unless we are talking about copious amounts of artificial light.

I agree. I think I'd grow most of my collection (Cattleyas and Catasetums) without a shade cloth year round (greenhouse) if I still lived in Canada!

They can indeed bulbo! I did at one stage grow these. They do grow real well in the tropics - in pots etc. But I became too 'afraid' that their seeds (after flowering) would somehow get out to the lawn hahaha. So decided to not grow at home after a while.

The 'nice' thing is that this plant has gotten out of control here various regions of the city - they can't get rid of them haha. Very cool behaviour with its leaves for sure.

Oh - Myrmecophila/Schomburgkia and hybrids. Some are quite small plants.

Schoms, vanillas, Australia dens, terete and semi terete vandas, arachnis, phais, bamboo orchids

I grow a lot of orchids in full sun at least part of the day

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Oh. Also it has a ton to do with acclimation. Any plant will burn if you throw it into the sun lol

I have burned plants and learned the hard way

Correct, strong artificial light! ;) If keep the lenses on the COB LEDs, I can upwards of 700+ PPFD near the centre. When you factor in that the lights will be in a solid 10-12 hours, that’s a lot of light (in orchid terms anyways). I should also add that it’s coupled with 85F and 70% humidity during the day. I drop it down to 65F at night.

Consider rupiculous Laelias ... they like high light, cooling at night, and tend to be quite compact. And brilliantly colored flowers in most cases.

Soft cane Dendrobiums might work.

Cyrtopodium punctatum grows in full sun in FL. Here in PA I grow Cymbidium, most Vanda, Catlleya aclandiae, C. dowiana, C. trianae, and multiple bog orchids in full sun.

Hello -
I've got a couple of suggested hybrids that have done well for me:
Procatavola Walnut Valley 'Lime Stars' (Epc. Lime Sherbet x B. Little Stars) Takes full sun and heat in the summer, and down to the 40sF in the winter. Drought resistant, mounted. Performs well. Why would you want a greenish bloomer? That's what I thought - stunning 4 to 5 inch blooms

And Brassavola Jiminy Cricket takes similar conditions and blooms a couple times a year.

Laelia anceps, L. autumnalis, and their hybrids are also happy in full sun, while withstanding cold temps in winter.
: -)

happy growing,
Maryanne

In my tropical region, my Dendrobium discolor can definitely handle a beating from quite intense sun conditions and hot days.

Dendrobiums like this sort handle that kind of condition a lot in the wild. Totally agree with what some people already mentioned about various sorts of Dendrobium.

They still need enough humidity, and suitable temperature growing range though.

This image was captured yesterday, showing a Den. discolor putting out a spike, with old spikes from previous flowerings still on the stem. Nearby are some Angcm. eburneum flowers. And the chilly plant just behind the dendrobium is a Carolina Reaper heheheheh. Very hot chilly heheh.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...1&d=1593031027

Totally agree with the benefit of some air-movement too.

Which Epiphyllum? Most have Disocactus ancestry, which are mostly high-elevation cool growers.

Bright to full sune orchids
 

HI,
I am so envious of your bright conditions!! There are so many orchids that will only flower with high light/full sun. Here are some of the orchids I grow in very bright sun:
Cymbidiums- fragrant
Cattleya's
Oncidium- not direct sun
Cycnodes Wine Delight- fragrant
Phaius:
Laelia Tenebrosa
Brassavola nodosa
Laelia tenebrosa
Maxillaria tenuifolia- fragrant
and more

Thank-you to everyone for the wonderful suggestions! I am “slowly” adding to the collection. I have got lots more on the way this week :)

I wanted to share a few pictures of how it’s coming along :biggrin:

PS - Those temps are in Celsius; it’s around 88F during the day and I drop it down to 65C at night. Humidity is always between 70-80%.

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