Light levels for Orchids

[GoldenSunshine]

I am in Southern California, but inland around 30 miles from the ocean. I am having issues with some of orchids having burning from light. I have been told that phals can handle sun this time of year, yet two of mine got badly burned. One of them is in spike and hopefully the blooms will no abort. I just received a light meter to read light levels in a proper way without just guessing it. I am confused because because say the light levels are low this time of year yet as you can see in one of my pictures the light recorded from the sun outside at 10:35 am on Dec 30th is 12,520 foot candles. What can I do to increase growth with the light I have yet not burn anything again. My neofinetia falcata and hybirds are during amazing, I have some burning on my catteylas also, but just a little. Also what would some reccommed me do to those burned phals, thank you.

[ALToronto]

Get some sheer curtains or a shade cloth?

[NYCorchidman]

Well, when people talk about their growing conditions, you should note what area they are in.

I'm in the northeast, NYC. You are in Southern Cali.
I grow some of my phals right up against my window during the winter getting full sun. No damage done at all. The angle of the sun is lower in the winter, hence the less intense the light. but you are way further down south, so the angle is at least higher than where I am.

You mentioned even your cattleya is getting burned. That is a really strong light then. not many orchids will survive such light level. lol

As a member suggests, you might want to try a sheer curtain or place your plants a few feet away from the window, whichever one suits you best.

[Masdyman]

Shading is the way to go, then have light lovers high up whilst the Phals lower enjoying shady conditions.

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[magicatt]

If your leaves are burning, then like the others said, a sheer curtain or a lace with holes in it would offer some protection.

Phals in the wild grow on trees under the canopy of leave so would only get early morning sun or late evening sun, the high noonday sun would be shaded by the leaves. Think like a tree.

[GoldenSunshine]

Well thanks for all of the help. I am more amazed then anything that the sun is that bright in the middle of winter. They say full sun at noon is 10,000 foot candles, and I getting over 12,000 at 10:30 in later December.... Anyways I got a window privacy film from Lowes. It helps diffuse the light like a green house and make it more even all around. It cut the light for 9,000 inside to about 6,000 foot candles right aganist the window. I sort of layered my orchids with my neofinitas and Vandas right against the window then encylias and catteaylas in the middle and the phals behind everything. Now where the phals are they get about 2,000 foot candles . Also someone recommend at Armstrong to use a table fan on low, the leaves never get hot anymore. Lets see how they grow now. I always thought more light was better then to little, but there are limits.

[Masdyman]

That sounds a lot better, good luck with it!

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[Vanda lover]

I'm amazed at how little light phals need to bloom. Mine are all in North windows and despite our dull winters, I always get good bloom. I save the brighter windows for other orchids that need more light.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by GoldenSunshine

as you can see in one of my pictures the light recorded from the sun outside at 10:35 am on Dec 30th is 12,520 foot candles

I see no pictures, but I am reasonably certain that you are either reading the wrong scale, or your light meter is defective.

Full, mid summer, noon-time, unobstructed sunlight is likely to be no more than about 10,000 fc, so there is no way you're seeing 25% more on the longest day of the year when the sun is at its lowest angle in the sky.

Hoever, burning is burning, no matter what the meter says.... Once burned, there is nothing you can do but leave it alone. In time, as the plant grows new leaves, it will dump the damaged ones.

[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?