Strange question on angraecum growth orientation

[Mugsie]

I mentioned in a previous post that I purchased some teeny tiny angraecums. My question is how should I face then into the sun? Right now they're in a GH that has a shade cloth over it, so it's not full sun, but, should they be orientated perpendicular to the sun's travel or aligned with it? Since the plants grow relatively flat, should they have the leaves oriented east and west, aligned with the sun's travel, or north and south perpendicular to it's travels? Thanks....

[Roberta]

Hmm... never thought about sun orientation for those or any other orchid. In my GH, they get whatever space I can find, and outside, it's however they're oriented with respect to the hanger on hanging plants, for the rest, it's wherever they fit. And in amy GH, light is diffuse so that you aren't toasting leaves, so I expect they'll get the light they need no matter how they are oriented.

[Mugsie]

I hope you're right Roberta. If I end up with a cork screwy twisty strange looking angraecum, I'll just tell people you said "don't worry, be happy" 🤣

Stay well my friend, and all the best to you....

[Fairorchids]

Orientation towards the sun is important for some plants (specifically Clivia miniata). But, I have not seen it be an issue for orchids.

I have grown Ang. sesquipedala, as well as Ang. eburneum in my greenhouse. I have not seen any issue on either.

[Roberta]

The problem of "twisty" when changing light direction sounds more like the concern with regard to flower spikes. Spikes develop much faster than plants do, and are indeed sensitive to changes in light direction (especially Phals) Orchid plants grow so slowly that I don't think you'll see any effect due to changes in light direction, will all average out. Where a Phalenopsis spike will go from nothing to a display of flowers in a month or maybe two, an Angreaecum sequipedale may add an inch or so in height (or less) in a year. Big difference,.

[groundpounder17]

Originally Posted by Roberta

The problem of "twisty" when changing light direction sounds more like the concern with regard to flower spikes. Spikes develop much faster than plants do, and are indeed sensitive to changes in light direction (especially Phals) Orchid plants grow so slowly that I don't think you'll see any effect due to changes in light direction, will all average out. Where a Phalenopsis spike will go from nothing to a display of flowers in a month or maybe two, an Angreaecum sequipedale may add an inch or so in height (or less) in a year. Big difference,.

Roberta, you are talking about a Phal spike growth over a month or two then you reference the A. sequipedale as only growing ~1” per year. Are you still referring to the spike? Surely the A. sequipedale spike doesn’t grow that slowly?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by groundpounder17

Roberta, you are talking about a Phal spike growth over a month or two then you reference the A. sequipedale as only growing ~1” per year. Are you still referring to the spike? Surely the A. sequipedale spike doesn’t grow that slowly?

I'm talking about the A. sesquipedale plant. The OP, as I recall, was concerned about light direction changes affecting the presentation of a seedling plant. A loooong way from blooming. If it is a tiny plant, it will be quite a few years before flower spikes become an issue.

[groundpounder17]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I'm talking about the A. sesquipedale plant. The OP, as I recall, was concerned about light direction changes affecting the presentation of a seedling plant. A loooong way from blooming. If it is a tiny plant, it will be quite a few years before flower spikes become an issue.

That’s what I thought, but was making sure 🤣

[Leafmite]

I have never had any trouble with Angraecums growing normally, even with growing in the window. I would not worry.