Light Control For Orchids

The famous orchid grower Adelaide Willoughby rejoiced in the complexities of growing orchids, saying, "One of the things that make the growing of orchids unique and stimulating is the spirited controversy that arises over every aspect of culture. One of the many points on which there is no incontroversial procedure is the matter of how much light should be admitted."

Of course, there is no simple answer to questions like "how much light do my orchids need?" Why? Because it depends completely on what kind of orchid you are growing. Orchids - in common with virtually all plants - need sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into energy by the process know as photosynthesis. The orchid grower, however, is aiming for something more than simple survival of her plants and hopes to raise orchids that grow, behave and bloom in the same way they would in their natural habitat.

Achieving that type of natural growth means the orchid grower has to understand what the natural habitat of their orchids would be - and to find ways to emulate that environment in the artificial conditions of the home, porch or greenhouse. Some species may be used to life in the densest areas of the rainforest while others are exposed to bright sunlight for most of their life.

In terms of light, different orchids can have very different requirements and beware of any so-called "guides" that try to give you a single figure for how much light "orchids" need. It all depends on what you are growing. Look at the growing guides for the orchid in question and you will often see terms like "grow in full sun" or "prefers broken shade" - what do these mean and how do you provide the required amount - and type - of light?

"Full sun" means direct, unobstructed sunlight for a minimum of eight hours a day. This can be difficult to provide in some areas, and natural sunlight may have to be supplemented with artificial sunlight (lamps) to grow these orchids.

Orchids described as preferring "partial sun" need about four hours of unobstructed sunlight each day, or can be grown in a position that is lightly shaded all day.

One description that many orchid growers have a problem with is "filtered sunlight" or "broken shade". Orchids described as needing these conditions should not be exposed to direct sunlight, but may best be grown on lower shelves or otherwise in the shade of other plants. Alternatively, you might use shading paint or cloth on nearby glass. "Dense shade" orchids in contrast should be placed in the darkest corners of your orchid growing area.

More scientific descriptions of light levels for orchid growing will be expressed in "footcandles" and you will need a good light meter to accurately measure light levels in these terms. A particular Vanda for example, may say it needs 3-4000 fc (footcandles) - but you have to remember that this is a measurement of the light at noon on the longest day of the year, so your location and local shade have to be taken into account when comparing the light levels you can provide.

The key - as with many aspects of orchid growing - is to select species carefully for the conditions and micro-climate(s) you can provide. This will dramatically improve your success ratio and the satisfaction you consequently get from growing orchids.

About the Author

Cynthia Perez is the author of a newly published e-book "Insiders Secrets on How to Care for Orchids".

This e-book is fully packed with all the information you need to caring and growing orchids. It is written with you in mind, a very easy guide for a beginner or a pro grower.

Rest assured that you will finish reading this e-book in one seating. Imagine yourself being able to grow a breathtaking orchids in no time even if you have