How much light does an orchid require?
Today, the editor introduces the amount of light required by orchids and the lighting and temperature requirements for the planting of various orchid green plants, with the following details:
This article discusses the topic of "whether orchids can be exposed to the sun and how to properly expose them to the sun," summarizing the experience of several seasoned orchid enthusiasts and sharing it with everyone, hoping that you can gain more orchid knowledge from it.
Orchid enthusiasts share:
Hello, orchid friends! Orchids also need to be exposed to the sun in cultivation; all things grow by the sun, which is essential, but how should they be exposed?
Different orchid varieties have different light requirements. In summer and autumn, shading should be 60-90% for Cymbidiums, around 60% for Cymbidium ensifolium, 70-80% for Cymbidium goeringii, Thunia, and Cymbidium faberi, 80-90% for Cymbidium sinense and art orchids. In areas with high temperatures, the shading density should be higher, and in areas with lower temperatures, the shading density should be lower. In some northern regions, shading can start around 10 am.
In spring and winter, the sun is relatively mild, and full sun exposure is possible, or shading can be applied for about 2 hours at noon, with art orchids requiring about 60% shading.
Orchids grown at home usually do not use shading nets. In summer, it is best not to place them on sunny window sills. It is better to make a orchid shelf, placing them about two feet away from the front window sill. In summer and autumn, when the sun is directly overhead at noon, the sun-loving ones can be placed in the front with strong light, and the less sun-loving ones in the back. Orchids have phototropism, so the pot should be rotated every ten days or so to prevent the leaves from growing too long.
The light can be adjusted according to the weather changes. Light is an essential condition for orchid growth, which is indispensable for flowering, watering, and nutrient absorption. Rational use of light is the cornerstone of healthy orchid growth.
Wu Zhihua shares:
Based on what I have seen in the wild growth locations and habits of orchids on the mountain, orchids are indeed shade-loving plants. But do they not need to be exposed to the sun? The answer is no. I believe that all plants need to perform photosynthesis, and with sunlight, they can convert their own nutrients. If there is a lack of sunlight, orchids cannot grow normally, which means orchids need some light, but the requirement for light is not very high.
For professionals, light and the pH of water are measured with instruments. Light is measured in "lumens," and the price of light testing equipment on the market is not very expensive.
There is a saying: "For orchids, do not expose them to the sun in spring, do not let them be exposed directly in summer, do not let them dry out in autumn, and do not let them get wet in winter." This saying implies the following about light: in spring, the wind is cold, so do not move orchids outdoors; in summer, the sun is strong, so do not let orchids be exposed directly; in autumn and winter, more sun exposure is beneficial to promote the growth of flower buds. One thing to note is that if orchids are kept in the shade for a long time without sunlight, it can affect the differentiation and growth of flower buds and flowering.
How much light does an orchid require?
Lao Fang shares:
Regarding whether orchids can be exposed to the sun, there are two aspects to consider: orchids that are newly potted and in the acclimatization period should not be exposed to the sun and should be placed in a well-ventilated, shaded area. After about a month of acclimatization, they can be exposed to the sun, but the sun should not be too intense. In winter, the sun can be exposed all day. Starting from May to June, when summer begins, the sun is quite harsh, and orchids can only be exposed to the morning sun and the setting sun, before 9 am and after 5 pm. At other times, they should be semi-shaded or placed in a bright area of the living room to receive scattered light, avoiding direct exposure to the sun. "Exposure to the sun promotes flowering, while no exposure promotes leaf growth." With sufficient sunlight exposure, the leaves and pseudobulbs can fully perform photosynthesis, storing energy for flowering the following year.
Qingshan Feng Orchid Garden shares:
Yes, in the high-temperature season, it is best before 10 am and after 5 pm. Below 25 degrees, they can be exposed to the sun all day, but they should not be exposed to frost. Snow is fine!
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The above sharing on the amount of light required by orchids and the lighting and temperature requirements for various orchids hope to be helpful to green plant enthusiasts!