Light levels and meters.
 

:hello

Today while I was at lowes I found a light/ph/moisture meter. It was only 10$. Im thinking about returning it because the moisture thing doesn't work on bark, but I digress.

Anyway, it is telling me that at my west facing window, behind the screen, I am only getting 500 fc.

If this is correct, is this bright enough for phals. I thought it was much brighter than that. Maybe it doesn't work correctly? I measured it when it was already about 5 in the afternoon. When would be the best time to measure it. Apparently my house is super dark. :(

Should I return this meter and get a better one?

ANY advice is welcome. And probably needed lol.

Also, has anyone used the momet plus meter?

The reading of 500 fc is probably correct for the time of day and the West side.
Joann

Is that good enough for my phals?

They will need a bit more light to grow well and bloom. Mine get about 2,000 fc but I think 1,500 is good.
Are the leaves on your plant a dark green?
Joann

Was the window shaded when you measured the light?
Or does this window get hit with sun earlier in the afternoon at all?
I really don't know about FCs, but grow a number of orchids in west facing windows.

It wasn't shaded, but my orchids seem to be doing fine. Lots of new root growth when I unpotted them tonight to put them in smaller pots. I hope they're getting enough light in the living room too though. I'm running our of room on that window. I guess I could put them in the office window but it seems like a waste because no one will be able to see them because that's our junk room. Lol. My next house is going to have LOTS of living room windows.

How do I get more?

Hi! I bought a light meter this week and went round measuring light levels everywhere the same as u :) my north facing window (where I keep my phals) also has a much lower light level than I originally thought - about 500fc! However my phals have always loved it there and bloom constantly :) so there they will stay light or no light!

I also found that as light comes from all directions, how I turn the light meter in the window affects the reading, as well as how bright the day is and what time of day ;) I guess they just adapt as they are also supposed to be warm loving plants also, but uk temps are never that warm either :) however what they do seem to like in my dingy window is the temp drop they get in the winter so they can slow down and store energy to bloom in the spring.

I would say if ur phals are happy where they are then don't worry too much about the light :) King of Orchids had some links to phals growing wild and the light there is dime as they grow quite close to the forest floor way under the canopy.

If u do expand ur collection and use a brighter window keep a look out for pinky leaves and new leaves that are hard and stick up like a flag, or burnt patches as this means too much light.

If the new window is too bright u can always tone it down with a net to defuse the light :)

I've had two light meters and generally find them to be about worthless. I don't know why but I could never get consistent readings or values that made much sense. With phals I just try to put them in the brightest area I have available without any direct sunlight. Good luck.