leaves under direct sunlight

[tan yong sheng]

can the leaves of the moth orchid be under direct sunlight for about two to three hours a day?

[jerrymeola]

that is a lot of light. If you mean indoors through a window then maybe but outside you are going to have problems.

The normal light level for a Phalaenopsis is 1500 foot candles. Direct sun will range 5000 -10,000 outdoors. Glass will absorb a lot of light and the distance from the glass will mean a lot, so indoors is to be tested.

Measuring light levels with an SLR camera

I bring Phals to outdoor markets and many days they take the sun OK for part of the day and other days they are damaged fast. Heat buildup on the leaves is the problem and misting at the market allows the higher levels, but I am standing there all day and can continually mist while at home you it is not practical.

I know several people who keep their Phals outdoors here in Florida and if they adapt they can do quite well with more sun than normal, but the key word was 'if they adapt'. Orchids are tough and can adapt to many stressful conditions.

So the answer to your question is that it may be 'possible' but not normal and stressful for the plant. If you have an area where you just absolutely want a Phal try to slowly adapt to the light levels.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Feel the leaves. Anything more than luke warm is probably a problem. I used to grow Phals in a greenhouse set up for Cattleyas. The Phals would be OK for a number of months, then would just give up for one reason or another or no reason at all. I think the stress was too much and made them vulnerable. Cynthia

It also depends on where you live and what time of day you're talking about. If you live north of the Mason Dixon line the sun is weaker than it is farther south, or to the west. Also, very early morning sun, say from 7:00 to 10:00 is very mild and easy going on plants. But from 11:00 to 3:00 is the strongest light period of the day. And an eastern exposure will be a lot weaker than a southern exposure.