Best orchids for west facing windows? (Northern hemisphere)
 

Any recommendations for orchids that can grow well in a west facing windowsill? My only concern is the summer heat in the afternoons and a potential lack of sufficient hours of light.

And I would like to consider this without the "sheer curtain" solution as it is for an industrial space.

Right now I'm thinking Cattleyas, Catasetinae would be ok?

Oncidiums are probably a no-no and I'm hesitant about Phals, Paphs, and Phrags.

Any west facing windowsill growers have tips or can share experiences?

Some dendrobiums would find it to their liking. I grow a few in a south window.

Do you have any trees? I've got catts and ctsm in west and sw areas both inside and out. But they are mostly outside so they get a good breeze which helps keep the leaves cool. The ctsm get a bit of shade mid afternoon more so than the catts. I do actually have phals in my sw windows right now and believe it or not they are doing better, more spikes and buds, than any of my other phals in shadier locations. I don't keep them there during the summer but many types like that winter sun. Depends on the type though. I've got a couple of species that I wouldn't dare put in that sun. One that does seem to like it is my Gigantea. Just make sure you keep up with the water and if the leaves get warm, a small fan can help. Love to see what you end up putting there and how they do!

Try Den. spectabile. They like a lot of light and warmth. Phenomenal flower.

Maybe Neofinetia? I used to grow them in a west window

If you can put a fan on the plants the leaves won't heat and you won't have damage.

It is not the light but the heat...as ES suggests, a fan will probably solve the problem. Always introduce the plants to high light in increments, too.

I know you said curtains won’t work but could you apply a heat blocking window film? Even cutting a bit of the heat would help.

I'm 100% gonna try that even if it's just for insulation purposes.

So, even though this post was originally meant to find out more about orchids on west facing windows. We finally moved into our loft and discovered that we're actually facing NW. We have unobstructed views of the skyline but a building to the left blocks the sun from the west, so I actually don't think I might need to worry about temperature at all.

Using Photone (which has worked great for me) I measured 173 ppfd at 1pm, I think this spot might be fine for my Phals without need for supplemental light. I will probably need to move my cattleyas to shelves under artificial light.

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