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.