Lighting and leaves

[bellc]

I recently purchased a few Phals orchids and I'm keeping them in my master bathroom with an eastern exposure. There is very small clear window in that bathroom from the north and a large eastern exposure window that is frosted. The bathroom gets a LOT of beautiful light in the morning. I've placed the orchids a good 6 feet away from the eastern frosted window and they still get plenty of light in the morning, indirect but bright in the morning. The tiny northern window brings in light, but not directly on the orchids by any means.

I do have shutters in the bathroom and can adjust the lighting. Do you think it might be too bright for the Phals? We live in Phoenix where we have full sun 300 days a year.

Secondly, a definite newbie question, but here goes....I would like the clean the leaves as they currently have some water spots on them. Should I just mist them with pure water, wipe them gently with pure water, or leave them alone?

[jerrymeola]

Your bathroom sounds ideal for the phalaenopsis. If you want to measure the light levels exactly see Measuring light levels with an SLR camera

Phalaenopsis need about 150 foot candles of light.

If the light was too high you would already have had problems. The leaves fould burn (Chlorophyll dies and turns brown). Short of burning the more light you can give an orchid the better. They probably can go almost up to the frosted window.

Cleaning the leaves is fine A little water cleans them easy and a little oil shines them well. Oil sprays are used on plants to prevent many insects. This is not an issue inside but since it is harmless to the plant you might like the shine. (It is a common trick to make plants look better for competition shows)