north south east west SUN confusion

[Gwenchanter]

Actually you don't ever need a compass to see what direction you are faceing. (except maybe at high noon)The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. (unless you live close to the north or south pole).

Now, if you live in the northern hemisphere (above the equator) that means the sun's path in the sky will be slightly to the south. Thats why a south facing window will get sun all day long. If you look out a south facing window in the morning, the sun will be rising on your left (to the east). If you look out in the evening, it will be setting on your right.(west) The north side of the house, and a north facing window, will be shaded by the house since the sun will be somewhere to the south Now, if you live in Australia or New Zealand or any country south of the equator, it's the opposite and the sun will be in the northern direction for most of the year and the south will be shaded. Understand?

I grow my phals on a west facing porch in sunny Florida. That way, they are shaded most of the day including when the sun is straight up in the sky at noon. Then in the evening when the sun is setting, they get some sunlight. However, when the sun is low on the horizon the rays are filtered through more of the earth's atmosphere and therefore are not as harsh as the middle of the day. My phals seem to like it, and they have to have at least some sunlight to bloom. If you live in a place where you don't get much sun during the winter, a south facing window may be a better choice because you will get as much sun in the winter as you can, and during the summer you can shade it if the sun is too harsh.

So here is a quick guide for the northern hemisphere (USA) if you are still confused:

South- all day sun
East - only sun in the morning
West - only sun in the evening
North - always shaded