Sedirea (Phalaenopsis) Japonica light levels

[3rdMaestro]

Most everywhere I look, the advice on how to grow a sedirea japonica is something to the effect of "grow like phalaenopsis." But my question specifically is, how much light does this little guy want? Is it literally the same as the rest of the phals? Can it take a little more? If it makes a difference, I have the Minmaru variety.

[Roberta]

I have just the "standard size" Sedirea japonica so I don't know if the miniature version is the same... but mine grows both cooler and brighter than a (real) Phal. (I'd never be able to grow Phals outside all winter, but Sedirea japonica does just fine.) I think its conditions are closer to a Neofinetia falcata than a Phal. (In this group, the reclassifications really muddy the water as far as culture is concerned)

[Shadeflower]

I'm growing one warm in near vanda level light and has been doing fine but no spike. The other is spiking at mine on the windowsill in phalaenopsis level light. I bought it in the hopes I could keep it on the windowsill and I think it will do well even with phalaenopsis level light, just bought the plant last year and already 7 buds on its first spike developing - I know this plant likes to put on a show but I am very happy with how it is doing in a west facing window.

I always use this site to check for care information and the temperature and light information seems to be accurate from my experience.
Sedirea japonica care and culture | Travaldo's blog
Its says 1800-2500fc but it can handle up to 3500 I would guess, whether that is why the other isn't flowering is hard to say but it is most likely just not mature enough

[3rdMaestro]

Sounds good. Right now I have it in the natural light of a windowsill but I think I'll move it under my lights by the window

[Roberta]

Sedirea japonica is pretty forgiving. It certainly tolerates more light than a "real" Phal, I don't know how much it requires that to bloom.

[Keysguy]

Somewhere in here we had a recent conversation about a plant DC and I both have that is 50% japonica.

In that thread I described the conditions I grow mine in but I'll throw it out here as well.

I started growing it as a cool- int plant as you would expect of japonica and I darned near killed it in very short order. I took it to FL with me when it was in tough shape and hung it with my vanda's. It is in a bare root hanging net pot (no media) under 60% shade cloth and gets misted 2x/day for 10 minutes each run. It currently has 3 spikes in bloom.

It's only half japonica but my advice to you would be don't be afraid to try growing it warmer and brighter than you would expect.

[Roberta]

Keysguy, you're referring to Phal (Vandopirea) Little One, right? The other half, Hygrochilus parishii (Phal hygrochila) is even more Vanda-like. Sedirea japonica is just plain forgiving... it can certainly benefit from more warmth and more light, those aren't necessarily required. (I have both parents, and the hybrid, in spike on my patio right now... I think it'll be a month or two before I can get a "family portrait" but that is my hope. They all very likely prefer south Florida but clearly will put up with southern California...)