Sun exposrue for Ascocendas, ect.

[otis 226]

Living in sunny FL, I've started getting into some of the smaller vandaceous plants and was wondering if anyone could tell me if they can tolerate 6 hrs. or so of full sunlight, if exposed to it gradually?
Thanks for your experience with this.
Tony

[-k-]

I only have one in the collection but have been successful growing outdoors in the summer with 4 - 6 hours sun/shade from late morning into mid-afternoon and again towards sunset. I tried last year to give it a bit more direct sunlight but noticed some slight sunburn so back to its original location it went! Many other members grow these and are sure to have more insight to assist you... But I've found mine easy to grow, bright light and water, no fuss!

[Fishmom]

Ditto what -k- said: direct overhead sun is a bit too much for my ascocenda, it is under a shade structure with filtered sun during the middle of the day. I too have had some experience with (shhh...) sunburn.

[otis 226]

Thank you both. I've already moved both of them under a pindo palm, where they'll get just dappled sun. Not too many plants enjoy full blown Florida sunshine unless very gradually adapted to it.
Cheers,
Tony

[digitalgate]

Originally Posted by otis 226

Thank you both. I've already moved both of them under a pindo palm, where they'll get just dappled sun. Not too many plants enjoy full blown Florida sunshine unless very gradually adapted to it.
Cheers,
Tony

you making a lot of people jealous , most of them don't have enough light.

[beezermommy]

Hi - I have a few vandas out in direct sun facing east. They hang on my screen pool enclosure. I also have at least 8 vandas and asco's hanging on the inside of my screen enclosure. they do very well. I live in Sunrise Florida. What part of Florida are you in?

[kmarch]

I'd ditto most of what everyone said above. Ascocendas don't take as much sun as Vandas and their leaves can burn. I burnt mine a couple of years ago leaving it in full sun. I also find that some Ascocendas can grow and flower in light that is much lower than we might expect. I have an Ascocenda Gail Noyes one of my most faithfully blooming orchids) which I grew and flowered indoors (!!!!!) in a windowsill with no direct light (!!!!) We're talking Paph/Phal light levels here. I grew it indoors for 3 years (it flowered 2 of those 3 years) that way before I got my greenhouse.

Here's the thread I posted last year when my Gail Noyes flowered: http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/orc...ail-noyes.html

[otis 226]

Originally Posted by beezermommy

Hi - I have a few vandas out in direct sun facing east. They hang on my screen pool enclosure. I also have at least 8 vandas and asco's hanging on the inside of my screen enclosure. they do very well. I live in Sunrise Florida. What part of Florida are you in?

I'm in Ocala, (North Central), FL. It was 97oF today and the humidity was high 60's, just nasty! But the plants usually like it
I have very limited areas in my small yard that are not in full sun all day, and I've got most of my Catts filling them up.
Tony

[otis 226]

Kevin I really appreciated the posting of your thread from last year. I enjoyed looking at that a lot. What a great looking plant and the vibrant yellow color of the blooms was amazing. On top of that fragrance too! Incredible...
I hope this little Ascda. 'Jakkit Gold' looks half as nice when I get it to bloom.
Cheers,
Tony

the summer sun in Manhattan from 6am to 10 am shines directly on my 4 asc. plants then the tall buildings shade it up till 4 pm, it gets the sundown direct sunlight again, then the neon city lights begin...I dont know if its the pollution filtering the sun or the reflection of the light on hot cement/stone walls that makes it tolerant of the sun in my part of the world; the high humidity in the summer also gives it an extra boost to flower

[zaeem]

Thanks for the reference to th thread I loved it.