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Thread: windowsill light confusion

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  1. #1
    Real Name
    Clara
    My Grow Area
    Windowsill
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
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    Female
    Location
    near Philadelphia
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    91
    Member's Country Flag

    Default windowsill light confusion

    Hi,
    I'm confused about lots of things, but today its light. I live near Philadelphia. My breakfast room has 2 large double windows. one is SE facing and the other SW facing. I have about 20 cattleyas- in the SE one. They get about 4 - 5 hours of morning sun (with no sheer curtain) a day. It's a little filtered by the surrounding orchid leaves. I read that cattleya need lots of sun, but other things I read say no direct sun. I haven't seen any signs of sunburn. Most have medium green leaves, a couple have dark green leaves.

    the humidity is around 50%, and I have a small oscillating fan going. My house temp is 78 -80 during the day and drops a bit at night.

    Are they getting enough light to eventually bloom? Will this be enough light in the winter, or do I need supplemental lighting? I haven't read anything that makes this clear to me. I do love having them in the room with me.

    Thanks for any input or advice. Clara

  2. #2
    Real Name
    Mike
    My Grow Area
    Greenhouse
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Cattleya
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
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    Male
    Location
    Pensylvania
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    336
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    Default

    I have many catts in an eastern window getting direct sun for two years now and are doing fine.
    The plants will tell you if they don't like it.
    Most orchids like at least a 15 degree differential between day and night (especially over the winter I think) so cut the heat in there if you can this winter.
    Keep that fan going day and night also, this according to AOS top dog Ron McHatton Phd.
    Enjoy

  3. #3
    My Grow Area
    Windowsill
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    All of them!
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Massachusetts
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    28
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    Default

    Hi there,
    I’m no expert, but my Cattleyas like to have morning light, if I’m not mistaken, the leaves should be light green color when they receive enough light.
    Hope this help.
    Posted via Mobile Device

    ---------- Post Merged at 04:32 PM ----------

    Hi there,
    I’m no expert, but my Cattleyas like to have morning light, if I’m not mistaken, the leaves should be light green color when they receive enough light.
    Hope this help.
    Posted via Mobile Device

  4. #4
    Real Name
    Clara
    My Grow Area
    Windowsill
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    near Philadelphia
    Posts
    91
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    Thank you both for your responses.

    do you give supplemental light in the winter?

  5. #5
    Real Name
    Mike
    My Grow Area
    Greenhouse
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Cattleya
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Gender
    Male
    Location
    Pensylvania
    Posts
    336
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    No, mine are in a greenhouse now so I get lots of southern light.

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