Do I need supplemental lighting for my phalaenopsis orchids?!

[Ray]

Originally Posted by twinkie

Well I'm sure you know much more than I do about the subject but am going on experience of deep dark Northern Winters where we may not see the sun for a whole month or more, being a fleeting 'brightness' at that with no real rays of sun. I've got continuous bloom spikes coming up with my current lighting system so am not changing that over to dark gloom for 9 months out of the year. I guess we all find what works or doesn't, in the end.

Hah! You and I both made some assumptions here - you that the photo represented a momentary flash of sunlight, and I that it was the normal lighting, so I apologize for calling you out on that.

Two years ago I moved from PA to southeast NC, so had a major upgrade in the days of clear skies and sun, especially over the winter, going from almost none to almost all, so I guess I've become spoiled in that short time.

However, I will state again that phals are deep shade plants, and do very well with no direct sun at all - mine are in north-facing windows in winter and on a deck on the north side of the house all summer, and have never done better.

[Mountaineer370]

Well, my head is spinning. As I said, I've discussed my problem of non-blooming plants several times before on this board. In fact, based on what I had learned, I rehomed all of my orchids except for Phals and a few Paphs.

I have frequently described my plants sitting in a large south window where they will get direct sun off and on during the day (on the days when the sun is shining, of course). I do have sheer curtains that can be closed if it's really hot there, but that rarely happens with my high-efficiency windows and the abundance of cloudy days in Michigan.

Still, I have been told that I don't have enough light. Artificial lighting is not practical for me, so I have resisted, but I recently did acquire the two fluorescent floor lamps, thinking it was what was needed. My plants have never shown any signs of too much light, i.e., sunburn on the leaves, very, very light-colored leaves, reddish edges on the leaves, etc.

So, apparently, one of two things is happening. Either my plants are getting too much light or they're not getting enough. I really don't know anymore, and I'm having a hard time understanding how the advice can change so drastically from one thread to another. It's enough to make a person just want to give up on orchids.

[twinkie]

Originally Posted by Ray

Hah! You and I both made some assumptions here - you that the photo represented a momentary flash of sunlight, and I that it was the normal lighting, so I apologize for calling you out on that.

Two years ago I moved from PA to southeast NC, so had a major upgrade in the days of clear skies and sun, especially over the winter, going from almost none to almost all, so I guess I've become spoiled in that short time.

However, I will state again that phals are deep shade plants, and do very well with no direct sun at all - mine are in north-facing windows in winter and on a deck on the north side of the house all summer, and have never done better.

OP lives in Canada. They are much further North even than I am. I think it's fairly safe to assume that if they tick off how many days and hours of real sunshine they get in that sliver of window, they could judge whether or not there is 'enough' light.

Not only are we talking about light, but about intensity of light. I live in eternal foggy gloom. Gopher hole lighting. I can drive 2 hours in just about any direction and suddenly be able to SEE, um, like that small coffee dribble on a white winter vest (or my peach fuzz ) I don't notice in my lighting. If the OP lives in an area that is blessed with many many sunny days per year, there is still the intensity of light to contend with that does reach the plants.

If we flattened out a globe of the earth and ran a line through all the areas that have shade loving phals in nature - the types that we are trying to grace our homes with - am pretty sure that line would not cross through Canada or the Pacific Northwest , hence, my 'assumption' OP probably needs supplemental lighting (along with my experience relatively close to the Canadian border). A shade loving phal could live happily a certain distance from the equator getting dappled light and loving it. The further from the equator the less intensity of light. Add to that equation the artificial heating needed in cold climes, lack of humidity, and suddenly each ingredient in the 'Happy Phal' recipe becomes critical for success. I would kill to have the lighting you have in NC, that right there is tropical to me!

[Ray]

Originally Posted by twinkie

OP lives in Canada. They are much further North even than I am. I think it's fairly safe to assume that if they tick off how many days and hours of real sunshine they get in that sliver of window, they could judge whether or not there is 'enough' light.

I might have agreed with you on this at one time, but for two observations: the best phalaenopsis I have ever seen were growing in a greenhouse that was SO algae-covered that there was absolutely no sunlight entering it at all. Quite literally, when entering the greenhouse from outdoors, it took a couple of minutes for your eyes to adjust well enough to see anything.

If you've ever been fortunate enough to see some phalaenopsis plants in the wild, you'd be as astounded as I was about how well-shaded (no sunlight, ever...) they are.

One more factor to consider is that plants can adapt to lower lighting conditions. They may skip a bloom cycle to do so, but ultimately will adjust and carry on beautifully.

[twinkie]

Originally Posted by Ray

I might have agreed with you on this at one time, but for two observations: the best phalaenopsis I have ever seen were growing in a greenhouse that was SO algae-covered that there was absolutely no sunlight entering it at all. Quite literally, when entering the greenhouse from outdoors, it took a couple of minutes for your eyes to adjust well enough to see anything.

If you've ever been fortunate enough to see some phalaenopsis plants in the wild, you'd be as astounded as I was about how well-shaded (no sunlight, ever...) they are.

One more factor to consider is that plants can adapt to lower lighting conditions. They may skip a bloom cycle to do so, but ultimately will adjust and carry on beautifully.

Not important if you 'agree' with me or not. We both are growing on different parts of the earth. Again. Greenhouse. Heat, humidity, moisture, and where exactly was this greenhouse - factors to discuss compared to OP's set up in Canada. I'm actually from brasil, so I know something about the differences in light compared to where I am currently living, and have cultivated and seen many orchids in the wild while hiking. An avocado cut in half with the seed left in it in the dark bottom vegetable crisper will have a tap root growing out of it 6" long in no time. Completely different set of conditions for LIFE down there.