Newbie needs a little help

[Laurelai]

I'm still trying to gather info. I bought an orchid and put it on the window ledge in my shower which has a large ( high ) glass block window that faces north. It seemed to do really well. My shower is really large and I have a few other plants in there as well. I was thinking it might be a really good place to grow more orchids. There's a good bit of light but it's not direct light. Any suggestions?

[Sharyn]

Laurelai: Usually a north window does not provide enough light for the orchids to bloom. Where do you live? You should update your profile to show your location. Also, what type of orchids do you have in the bathroom now? I presume, they're lower light types. Give us a little more information, and I'm sure a number of members will jump on board to help.

[Laurelai]

I live in Central Florida. I believe it's a Phalaenopsis.

Sorry I was so vague. I was so excited when I got my pictures (for photo comp) to attach I forgot everything else.

I appreciate the help & your patience, Sharyn.

[Ellen]

If one orchid is doing well in your location, it follows that others of the same type should do OK, too. You could probably grow any type that doesn't need direct sun - Phals, Paphs, etc.

[Sharyn]

Ok, here's a start - a culture sheet from AOS to care for your phal. You can also find other sheets on AOS and here on the forum. I still believe that your North light will not be enough for the phal to rebloom. I have quite a few phals. Some are growing on my west window - no direct sun (afternoon sun is filtered by curtain), also have some growing on the dining room table & some in a south window - protected from direct sun in winter with blinds. This time of year, I have no direct sun, due to an overhang on the patio. A little early morning sun from the East is usually ok, but not too much. I'm not sure how hot your eastern sun gets in Florida.

Phals do not like to be completely dried out, nor do they like wet feet. Try the skewer method to gauge when to water.
http://www.aos.org/aos/uploadedfiles...lturephals.pdf

[kmarch]

Laurelai,

I think I agree with Sharyn that you'll need to go towards the low-to-medium light orchids. The mottled-leaf Paphs are a goodbet for you. They also like the humidity that they'll probably see in the bathroom too. You coudl try Phals. They like indirect light and high humidity and since the amount of light coming in a north facing window in Florida is a fair bit more than what would come in in the north, they may do ok. I used to live in Michigan and even there Paphs (the mottled leaf types) could be grown and bloomed in a north window. I grew my Phals in an east window though.

Key for you will be when you shop for orchids make sure you are buying low-to-medium light orchids. Ask the seller. Many varieties that are sold at Lowe's and Home Depot, as well as other department stores and grocery stores will probably not work for you. I'd recomend, for your light, staying away from Cattleya-types, Oncidium-types, and Dendrobium types.

Happy Growing and let us know if you ave more questions.

[kazjak]

I have to put my two cents in about Northern windows... I have 6 Phals all sitting on a commercial kitchen shelf in front of my north facing sliding door (without screen door) and they all grow and bloom like weeds.. Maybe this isn't the norm but I've had great success for over two years now. You won't be able to bloom high light plants but Phals and Paphs with do fine. How big is the glass block area?

[Laurelai]

Originally Posted by kazjak

I have to put my two cents in about Northern windows... I have 6 Phals all sitting on a commercial kitchen shelf in front of my north facing sliding door (without screen door) and they all grow and bloom like weeds.. Maybe this isn't the norm but I've had great success for over two years now. You won't be able to bloom high light plants but Phals and Paphs with do fine. How big is the glass block area?

:

It's 2 x 3 ft. The orchid was in bloom when I bought it about 2 months ago. One additional bloom showed up about 2-3 weeks after I got it home and now the 3 blooms have fallen off but a pretty good sized leaf has appeared.

I've read that you should cut the stalk (is that the right term?) off as low as you can after the blooms fall off and I've also read that you SHOULDN'T ever cut anything green off. You should only cut it off if it's brown and dried out. What do you do???

[jerrymeola]

Laurelai
With Phals you can cut the stem at the bottom which will allow the plant to put all its strength into new growth, or you can leave most of the stem and occasionally have an additional flower or two appear (usually they are smaller and not as impressive) or even a new baby plant grow off the stem (these both only happen on Phals.)

If you hold out for additional flowers or babies (keiki) you often miss the next seasons blooms. Phals only bloom once a year.

[Laurelai]

Jerry,

Thank you so much Jerry. I actually cut the stalk this morning. It was really tough/fibrous.

Even though it's in a northern window, in your opinion, since it's grown a nice new leaf and one additional bloom since I bought it, isn't it likely to do well (i.e. bloom again) where it is?

[jerrymeola]

Phals can do with less light then you might expect. The recommended level is 1500 foot candles. I am growing some in very different light levels to see what results I get. I even have one on my desk 23 feet from the nearest window.

I am not concerned that you have a north window. A bigger issue would be how much light goes through the block glass. Different glass has very different light transmission levels.

nothing beats measuring the light.

Measuring light levels with an SLR camera