Windowsill Growing

Last week, I visited an orchid nursery with 18 greenhouses. This particular nursery specializes in catts, and I noticed that some were marked in their catalog noting that they were good for light or windowsill culture. I asked one of their employees if the plants in the nursery were marked in any way so that I could select those that would work in my growing conditions and she told me that any of their orchids would grow and flower on a windowsill. They do only carry orchids that do well down south, but I just am not sure I trust that "any of them" will do well in a windowsill culture. What do you all think? I only bought one orchid that was questionable (in my mind) about the amount of light it will receive. It is a standard sized catt. I can always put it outside in the spring and fall. (And, yes, I bought other orchids there as well, but I am going to have to stop right now. My dh actually COUNTED how many I have!!!!)

There isn't any catt (even the big standard sized ones) that I haven't been able to bloom in a bright South window in Texas. I say go for it and try--especially if you are summering outdoors.

The only cattleya type I've ever heard of growing on a windowsill would have to be one of the smaller or compact catts. Sounds like that greenhouse was trying to sell sell sell! Been there....
Connie

I have 6 feet tall Southern windows in my office. The catts do get huge but they love it there...

In fact...this is one of my standard catt windowsill babies

Blc. Pamela Finney...blooms in March

Whoa, looks like Blc. Can-Can x Tango

Does your office building shut down AC during weekend? I have a large window facing south too, but I was told that orchids wouldn't survive in office building because of summer heat, especially over long weekends.

What a gorgeous orchid! I don't have a tall southern window available, but can summer my standard outside. I got a compact and two miniature catts also and understand they don't require as much sun.

Yes. No AC on the weekend. They do fine. It only gets about 88 degrees on that windowsill (I have a min max thermometer that stores the data)

While direction can matter, it should be mentioned that it also depends on just how much sun actually comes said window. A south facing window heavily shaded by a large tree vs an unobstructed window are two very different things.

Especially if space is a bit of an issue -- we aren't all as lucky as Clint to have those HUGE windows -- you might be best sticking to the mini and compact catts. Even then it will depend on the actual plant too. For example, I found that I cannot leave my Slc Jewelbox 'Dark Waters' directly in front of my SW-facing glass doors during the summer -- it got sunburned when I did (& it had been in that same exact spot all winter long). There are also some minicatts that might want even more light -- I found that Ctna Maui Maid x December Bride seems to want lots and lots of sun. This is one that if you do put your plants outside for the summer, may even take full afternoon sun.