where to put it?!

[brit6v]

Hi,
I bought this phal at a big-box store this morn. I had planned to put it in my orchid room, but I decided that I would really like to sit it in the kitchen. As you probably can see, I really have no room left on the table in front of my east kitchen window, so that only leaves the south windowsill. I know phals don't need but maybe 1000-1500 fc of light, but that south window gets as much as 4000 (maybe more) in the morn. this time of year....up until somewhere shortly after noon when they only receive less than 400 fc for the rest of the afternoon. My question is: do you think there would be too much light for the phal in that south window? I don't want to burn it up?!

That's all. I'm happy to say that I don't have an orchid problem (other than that) to ask you about today.....UNLESS something sneaky is going on in my orchid room that I'm not aware of (bugs, fungus or something....goodness forbid).
If someone has the time, and don't mind giving me some advice, I would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,
Vicki

[patticake]

I think with a little nudging around, or putting some higher on inverted pots, you can snug that baby right in there! I have some Phals in a south window, but they're a foot or so back and behind some Catts, so they only get dappled light. When you can't fit side-ways, think "up"!

[kninum]

Originally Posted by patticake

I think with a little nudging around, or putting some higher on inverted pots, you can snug that baby right in there! I have some Phals in a south window, but they're a foot or so back and behind some Catts, so they only get dappled light. When you can't fit side-ways, think "up"!

LOL.. great minds think alike.......



i think that you could fit it in too....making different levels is a great way to add a bit of room...and can look really great too...
....unless your south window is large enough that you could add a "sun lovin" catt or other friend to provide a bit of shade......

[lmartiny]

I was going suggest moving closer onto that... cat shelf? Only if the kittys aren't using. Otherwise, bad idea. But you could shift some things. Orchids toward the window, kitties, away!

[11Orchid126]

Bear in mind that for every inch a plant is farther from the window, the light intensity drops considerably.

[Sharyn]

I'd be careful placing it in a south window, without a sheer or some blinds to deflect some of the light. Remember, about mid-February the sun will be much stronger and may cause sunburn to your phals. (Trust me, I can show you a few). As mentioned above, you can place the phal away from the south window a bit and I'm sure it will receive enough light, without the risk of too much light or sunburn.

[PhalPal]

Vicki is that window tinted at all??? I would think it might be since you are in the south. I have very large south facing windows that get 9-10,000 footcandles of light on the outside of the window, and about 4-500 fc (yes, hundred) on the very inside of the same window. The difference is tinting, and I never would of thought this was a problem until one year my phals didn't bloom.

Even if they are not tinted, I would think it would be okay at the window in every season but summer since it gets mostly morning sun. If you are not sure, put it near the window and check the leaves for heat every half hour. If they are very warm to the touch they are getting sunburned, try moving it back a few inches and see how it does there.

[Stelios]

i have a phal on my south window. It's very bright over here even in Jan/February. What i do is that i leave the plant enjoy the morning dirrect sunlight and around noon i touch the leaves. As soon as they are warm i mist it and leave it on the coffe table so that it will cool a bit and i use kitchen paper to dry any excess moisture from the leaves. As soon as afternoon i return it to it's original possition. It worked so far and it's thriving.
The good thing is that during summer when the sun is higher in the sky, a balcony apstais just above the window, protects the plant during noon so i don't have to move it around as in the winter.
Maybe you could put an ivy bed 30-50cm above the window and have a similar effect of indirect light, except if it is very windy in your area.

[Myxamatosis]

I use a 'cool mist' humidifier (centrifugal) with a small fan my conditions are drastically different. A centrifugal humidifier should help, as the cool wet air hits the leafs it pulls heat off. excess 'wetness' is prevented by using the fan to circulate the overall areas air currents. this prevents bacteria build up.