Light levels for Orchids

[Masdyman]

Originally Posted by GoldenSunshine

Sorry for not posting the pics. I did not get how I have to make the images late 90's pixel sizes... Anyways here they are. I have realized that burning the leafs is just awful. Is there anything to do so more grow back faster or at least they don't rot away?

Is that not reading 1250 fc?

[GoldenSunshine]

That was the highest setting of the meter, it goes from 1-20,000 foot candles, yet only shows up to 4 digits at a time. At the bottom of the screen you might be able to or not see the x10, which means you are supposed to multiply that number on the screen by 10. Therefore the 1252 is 12,500 foot candles.

[Masdyman]

I have been here before with a friends meter. All I can remember is depending on where the light sensor is pointing can greatly change the reading. So maybe the positioning of the sensor is not realistic to the position of the plant. Obviously pointing directly at the light source will increase but the position of the plant may not replicate that. Maybe Ray can shed some light on the subject!

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[My Green Pets]

I've been carrying my light meter around with me lately. Today I got a reading of around 7,500 fc in direct sun at 11:30 AM. I'm about 1000 miles north of you latitude-wise.

That is some nasty sunburn but I don't think there's much that can be done. Just keep it shaded and hopefully it will forgive you. It will probably hold a grudge for awhile, though.

[Ray]

I don't care what your meter says, you're not reading any 12500 fc! What is the brand and model?

I don't think that's sunburn at all. That tends to look dried and parchment-like. Those leave appear to be soft and wet - I'd almost suspect patches of frozen tissue, if you weren't in SoCal - of course that could be nothing more than a photo issue.

Was the plant exposed to any hot air drafts?

[GoldenSunshine]

---------- Post added at 07:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:20 PM ----------

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Originally Posted by Ray

I don't care what your meter says, you're not reading any 12500 fc! What is the brand and model?

I don't think that's sunburn at all. That tends to look dried and parchment-like. Those leave appear to be soft and wet - I'd almost suspect patches of frozen tissue, if you weren't in SoCal - of course that could be nothing more than a photo issue.

Was the plant exposed to any hot air drafts?

Ray, I bought the meter on Amazon. Here is the link Amazon.com: Dr.Meter Digital Illuminance/Light Meter LX1330B , 0 - 200,000 Lux Luxmeter: Camera & Photo . I bought it because it looked like it got good reviews and it was a good price of course alot cheaper now then when I bought it. Also one of the phals does still have water in the dead parts and is sort of mushy. The other is a Bellina so the leaf is thin and dried out fast. As for hot drafts, there is a heater vent on the ceiling about 8 feet away. Along with that I always leave a ceiling fan on to move the air around and not cause hot spots. I did not have a table fan at the time to help cool down the leaves of the plants themselves. I do try to maintain a humidity level that never falls below 50%, averages around 60% sometimes goes to 70%. I use humidifiers for that. I know that helps with heat distribution also.

---------- Post added at 07:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:23 PM ----------

Originally Posted by CambriaWhat

I've been carrying my light meter around with me lately. Today I got a reading of around 7,500 fc in direct sun at 11:30 AM. I'm about 1000 miles north of you latitude-wise.

That is some nasty sunburn but I don't think there's much that can be done. Just keep it shaded and hopefully it will forgive you. It will probably hold a grudge for awhile, though.

I would would think that the light would be stronger here being 33 N versus 48 N. Yet 5000 candle foot seems a bit out of it. A difference of 1,000 or 1,500 would make sense I think. Part of it maybe the reflection of light from the side walk or the meter or both. I did my best to point the sensor directly at the sun as best as possible. Yet I also know low humidity in the air can cause the sun rays to reach the surface better and it has been warm and dry lately with humidity in the teens. The reason why I moved those phals in more light is I have another phal which is in half day sun, spiking no leaf burn and seems to be doing fine so I thought the other one's would like it.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by GoldenSunshine

Dr.Meter Digital Illuminance/Light Meter LX1330B , 0 - 200,000 Lux Luxmeter: Camera & Photo

That makes more sense - the reading is in LUX, not foot-candles. 12,500 lux = 1160 fc.

Originally Posted by GoldenSunshine

Also one of the phals does still have water in the dead parts and is sort of mushy.

A sure sign it is not a burn you are dealing with, but more likely a bacterial or fungal infection.

[snowflake311]

Oh sunburn. My plant got sunburn really bad from a long car ride. At first it looked brown and still soft. I was thinking it was rot or something bad. week later it dried up and is now crispy. I agree it's sunburn some plant burn differant then others. It's ugly but the plant will get over it and grow on. As long as you fix the problem.

Sounds like you fixed the problem.