Windowsill Growing

[Serenity]

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!!!!)

[clintdawley]

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.

[Cjcorner]

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

[clintdawley]

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

[clintdawley]

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

Blc. Pamela Finney...blooms in March

[JoeW]

Whoa, looks like Blc. Can-Can x Tango

[Lizgeo]

I have 6 feet tall Southern windows in my office.

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.

[Serenity]

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.

[clintdawley]

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)

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.

[pavel]

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.