Hello from Piedmont North Carolina

[orchidpsn]

This is the first forum I have ever joined so I hope I don't make any unforgivable mistakes. I bought my first orchid about 4-6 weeks ago and have them in a 72" wide garden window that is on the North side of my home. I now have nine or ten orchids of various species. I find the blooms are very beautiful and from my lack of experience with orchids, I look forward to the new challenge of growing them. The only problem I have experienced is a few buds dropping off of dendrobiums before they opened. I don't know what caused this but I suspect the light is not quite bright enough. They only get indirect light in the winter. Any advice will be greatly appreciated and I look forward to gaining information. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. orchidpsn

[Aniko]

Welcome to the forum!
You are right, Dendrobium needs a lot of bright light to bloom.The North side window may be good for paphiopedilum or phalaenopsis which are happy with lower levels of light. For Dendrobium and others, which need higher light intensity you have to find a sunny spot or add some artificial lights.
Aniko.

[prisana]

Orchidpsn..Welcome to the forum. They say bud-blast occur when there's a sudden change in temperature , also smoke from cooking, cigarettes, fumes from chemicals and from your gas stove ; and ripping fruits or old flowers can give off ethlene gas that may result in bud drop. Make sure the plants are not near the door where it could get cold or hot air when you open the door. Enjoy!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Don't think light, a change to more or to less, would cause bud drop, unless it was severe or accompanied by excess heat.

[Aniko]

When I mentioned the light problem I was thinking of a long term perspective, not of this particular bud drop.

[mayres]

My guess is that bud drop was caused by temperature and humidity changes from what the plant was used to when developing those buds. Once buds have already formed they should bloom OK in a north window - just will not get enough light to bloom again there without supplemental lighting or being moved to another location.

[orchidpsn]

MAYRES: Am I to understand you are saying no species of Orchid will bloom in a window with a North exposure or just Dendrobiums? If this applies mostly to Dendrobiums, should I move them to a window with Southern exposure so they can get direct morning sunlight? Thanks

[mayres]

Yes, I am afraid that is what I am suggesting - you "may" get some phals or paphs to bloom there if the windows are large and they are not shaded by any outdoor trees or vegetation, but it will be difficult and certainly not ideal. However, you can certainly put your beauties in the north window while they are blooming if you especially enjoy them there. Your dendrobiums can probably take southern light this time of year well. In the heat of the summer the 2-3 hottest hours of the day they would best be pulled back a ways from a south window. Your low light plants would do well with southern exposure as well if they are pulled back some distance from the window or if you have shears. In general when you talk window gardening of low light orchids the order seems to be (from best to worst) east, west, south, north. I noticed you have a "garden" window. If you get some light/sun from either the east or west into your window you may do fine with your low light level orchids.

[arleneg]

Hi orchidspn! Welcome to the forum. Since your questions have been answered, I'll just .

[hochongs]

Always forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.