how much light for how long?

[boxerfan]

I have Phals., Paphs., a Brs. and a brsdm. I have an idea about the light intensity that they need (in fc), although I'd be interested in any additional resources with this info. What I need to know is how many hours per day do the need this intensity to grow and flower. I'm using sunlight, no artificial sources. Thanks, Lisa

[prisana]

Are you using sunlight growing on windowsill or outside ? Phal and Paphs like lower light intensity..very early in the AM or very late in the PM will be the only time they can tolerate direct light, but no direct sunlight at all will be better for them , length of light in a day is according to the seasons... mother nature got that part figured out for you and I

Brassia and Brassidium , can be grown in medium-low ..higher than paphs and phals, some dappled sunlight or brighter window sill like the east or west, watch out for the heat trapped between the plant and the glass, it could burn your plant. No direct sun still.

Hope this helps a bit.

Ps. I just looked at your avatar and the whole time I thought the boxer was just sitting there...but it's actually cllimbing the fence..that's so neat. My husband had an Irish Setter that jumped over 8' fences with ease.

[kmarch]

boxerfan,

Your Paphs and Phals could be grown in an east window (ideal) a west window (if it's not too hot in the evening) or even a south window if it is shaded from outside as by a tree or if not placed directly in the window - in other words, no direct sunlight.

Your Paphs could also probably be grown in a north window.

The Brassia and Brsdm. could go in the south window if there is a sheer or you could try the east window. They like higher light levels than Paphs and Phals but can still be burned by too much direct light.

In more than 10 years of orchid growing, I have never measured footcandles, and have never bought expensive light meters. I've only used generl light indications: high-light, medium-light, and low-light along with light qualiity descriptions like "bright indirect" light or "dappled shade". I've found these to be much more practical, and I've found that people seem to more quickly understand these light indications. They're also easy to match up with locations in the home like: medium-light - east or west window.

Let us knowhow it goes for you and happy growing!