summer/winter lighting...

[kazjak]

So now that fall is coming to an end and all my plants are indoors I want to make sure I give them enough light without burning them. All summer the plants were getting full sun till about 1 PM and handled it without issue. The plants are now on tables within a foot of 2 "standard size" double hung windows with screens. Will they still need more light or will I need to shade them more. Common sense would tell me the light is more intense during the summer but I'm probably wrong because of snow reflection and sun angles.... I'm just not sure What I'd like to do is talk my wife into sawing out the wall between the two windows and turn our dining room into a giant atrium!

[mayres]

What direction do your windows face? I doubt you will need to worry about burning them a foot or two from the glass - even facing south. North of course would not be good. During the winter months people in my area take off their shade cloth (greenhouses) and the plants don't get burned all winter - then they have to put it back on in March. What kind of plants are you growing? My guess (and ONLY a guess) is that you will want more light instead of less, unless you are talking phals and paphs.

[kazjak]

Sorry, they are Dendrobium, cattleya, and oncidium in a south window. They've all been together in the exact same location all summer. Should I take the screen out?

[mayres]

I think you have them in the best location possible for the winter - screen out would be even better.

[kmarch]

I think you'll be fine. Light through glass can be hot so keep an eye on them. You may need a sheer curtain of some sort. Except near the equator where there is little difference between day length in summer and winter and in areas where diciduious forests loose their leaves in winter thus removing the shade from the orchids that grow in and under the trees, many orchids are accustomed to receiving less light in winter (some expect it).

[digitalgate]

when i was in Minneapolis for a few years. When i have a 'green house' indoor, i also have humidifier on 24/7. Guess what ICE form on the glass by the window.
I have a central heater that kept the temperature at 70s. Depending where
you stay. I remember Ohio weather was mild by comparison . However,
Sunlight through the window is out of the question because of frost forming
indoor! So is your light enough? Dont guess. Use a light meter.
when spring arrived i have to mop up the water from melting ice.