Orchid Care

Today we at Waldor.com Waldor Orchids would like to talk about Lighting of your plants.

Lighting:
It is important to provide the proper light conditions to grow your plants to their optimal potential. Orchids can be grown on bright windowsills or under artificial lights. Of course, if you are fortunate enough to have a greenhouse or a sunroom, plants can be grown with even greater results.

The best exposures for growing orchids are east, south and west. They should be grown in full sun light a sheer curtain or window screen is important to diffuse the sun’s rays. Note how many hours of sun each window receives as trees and overhangs will cut down on the amount of sun.

Orchids that have dark green foliage, but do not flower, are usually not getting enough sun. Leaves should actually be a yellow-green color, not dark green. Each new growth produced should be as large as or larger than the previous one. Strong pseudobulbs will produce beautiful flowers and will ensure you that your plants are receiving the proper light.

Orchids thrive outside in the summer. In our area this is from mid May until October. Please be careful when moving your plants outdoors as they will need some protection from the full sun. A shade cloth area or the filtered light provided by a birch or willow tree will prevent them from getting burned by the summer sun. If your orchid has not been receiving the proper amount of sun light, you will need to increase their exposure gradually over the course of a few weeks to prevent burning. Remember, just because a plant gets sunburn, it does not always mean it is the wrong exposure for the orchid, only that it was given too much sun too quickly.

This guide shows what plants will grow well in which exposure; however, plants that require less sun light can be grown in the same window when shaded by more light loving plants.

East Window: Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum and Phragmipedium

South Window: Cattleyas, Vandas, Oncidium, Dendrobium and Cymbidiums

West Window: Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, Dendrobium and high light Paphiopedilum

North Window: Jewel Orchids and other low light species Orchids For Under Lights: Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum, Masdevallia, Pleurothallids, Compact and Miniature Cattleyas

We here at Waldor Orchids hope this helps with your Lighting questions. We can be e-mailed at Waldor@waldor.com. Be sure and check out our website Waldor.com where we offer Classic orchids and suppiles for your needs.