oncids and oncid alliance

[Cinderella]

Just wondering, those of your who grow these, how much light do your oncids and oncid alliances get? Some fun sun, dappled sun??? My oncid growth has been much slower than my catts for the most part and that is why I'm asking.

[Liz]

I recently realized that mine weren't really getting enough light. I've now got them under shade cloth, up high on the top shelf with the dends and I think they're much happier. Actually, everything is happier with more light than I thought (or the books said) it needed.
Liz

[Heather]

Mine (I have one, just the Sharry) and it gets bright light in the morning on a shaded porch, some afternoon. Smells yummy too!

[uncasteeb]

Mine get full sun from about 10.30 am to about 4.30 am (50% shade cloth though) , after a few days of this they go a very yellowy green but they seem to like it(around 3000/4000fc with my light meter).

[JOHNnDC]

My oncs are outside right now. My Sharry Baby Sweet Fragrance gets almost full sun the entire day, though that can sometimes be a bit much. My Sharry Baby Red Fantasy (or something) seems to like a bit less light. But I have an Onc Gower Ramsey (or Sweet Sugar) that gets FULL sunlight all day long and loves it.

[Cinderella]

I guess I have not been giving mine enough sun. All the "books" say indirect sun but I agree with Liz. Most orchids need more sun than I previously thought.

[Heather]

You know, I hate that, Debbie - everything I *have* in books, and many places online say even paphs need "relatively low light" and that's not true at all for many of them (at least the ones I grow!) Thank god I asked a question once and got clued in...that was ages ago, and never turned back.

[LJA]

A great majority of the warm-growing oncid alliance do really well with light levels approaching standard catt intensity. Not quite, but just about. That's when they'll flower the best.

[OrchidTraci]

A great majority of the warm-growing oncid alliance do really well with light levels approaching standard catt intensity. Not quite, but just about. That's when they'll flower the best.

If they are gradually introduced to full sun, is it ok? I've had my equitants in full sun (well, in the same spot) since it was winter and they really seem ok with it. Would too much sun (even if they aren't burning at all?) be harmful?

[Liz]

I way overdid it on my one equitant by letting it get full morning sun; it got really dark purple all over, so I moved it back under the shade cloth. It's new growth is green, so I didn't kill it, but it's still a pretty dark shade of purple every where else. I don't think it's too happy with me.