In order for beautiful orchids to grow and delight the eye, not only watering is important, but also well-organized lighting.
With his help, the flower makes photosynthesis, and therefore light is vital for him.
Tropical plants love a lot of light, but direct sunlight is destructive for them. Knowing all the preferences of a flower and properly organizing lighting for it, it will be possible to achieve lush flowering and healthy growth.
Brief about flower care
The orchid plant is very capricious, each gardener chooses whether to begin acquaintance with her or not.
Orchid requires special care.. How to care for tropical flowers in our climate?
The health and growth of this exotic light-loving plant primarily depends on whether it is properly covered.
Constant flowering is possible with sufficient and proper lighting.. Does orchid need light? If the leaves are pale, sluggish or yellow - then it's time to organize the backlight.
If the winter does not provide additional sources of light in the form of lamps, the orchid will simply retire. In some flowers during the winter period, growth in general can stop until spring, while in others there is a very slow development. That is, at home in a tropical plant there is a forced period of rest (for details, what should be the conditions of orchid maintenance, read here).
Is the plant light-loving or shade-loving?
Orchid can bloom constantly if light is enough, but its lack leads to the stretching of the leaves and the pseudobulb, the leaves brighten. A tropical flower is up to a certain point able to protect itself from excess sunlight. But too much light will cause damage. The lack of lighting will slow down or even stop the growth of flowering.
Which option does it prefer?
To the question of how much and what kind of light an orchid is needed, the answer is unequivocal - a lot, but at the same time it is very afraid of direct sunlight. Therefore, in the summer the houseplant should be pritenyat to avoid burns, and in the cold season, when you need extra light, illuminate with additional lamps.
The intensity and duration of exposure to sunlight
The optimal duration of daylight hours is 12 hours.. With shorter daylight hours, orchids need to be highlighted. Young flowers do need a 16-18 hour day light.
Choosing a place
The ideal location for a tropical flower next to a source of natural light.
The best location for growing orchids - east and west windows. There will be enough light in the cold season, and in the summer there will be no burning sunshine.
On particularly hot days, to avoid burning the leaves, after lunch the plant should be hidden, for example, behind a tulle curtain. The windows on the south side have a positive effect on orchids in winter, and are very dangerous in summer.
Using fluorescent lamps
You can increase the light day by using additional illumination in the morning and evening hours. Fluorescent lamps are perfect for growing orchids.
The more lamps, the farther from them should be flowers. Additional light sources may not be needed if the windows are located to the south, and the flower pot does not block the trees and nearby houses.
Details on the basic rules of care for the flower, as well as about the proper organization of the backlight and the types of lamps, can be found here.
How to make blackout?
Tropical plants love bright and diffused light. It is possible to create at home using a transparent fabric, such as curtains. In the spring of growing on the windowsill orchids need pritenyat from the sun. It is better to move the flower at a distance of 1-1.5 meters from the window.
On a windowsill, a tropical plant can be applied with a thick sheet of paper, mosquito netting or blinds.
We offer to watch a video on how to make shading for orchids:
What is the wrong lighting, what are its consequences?
Now that we have figured out whether the light-loving orchid plant or not, it is important to determine whether the tropical plant is properly illuminated. Indicator in this case are the leaves. In a healthy orchid, they are bright green. If the leaves darken - the plant is clearly not enough light, if they turn yellow or take on a reddish tint - there is too much light.
Does the plant like the sun so much that it feels good under direct rays? No - they are the main enemy of tropical flowers and can lead to burning leaves. Particularly dangerous windows located on the south side. It is best to place exotic flowers on the northern, eastern and western windows.
To save from the hot sun can near growing trees and houses, standing opposite. Orchid loves the sun, but intense lighting can lead to sunburn of the plant and, as a result - pigmentation, it is not scary and does not require treatment, it is enough to rearrange the flower in the shade. But the burnt leaves will not recover until they die off naturally. The lack of light also adversely affects the vital activity of a tropical flower. Therefore, from autumn to the end of winter, you must use the backlight.
Proper lighting is crucial in orchid care.. They need a lot of light and the absence of direct sunlight. In summer, it is better to keep pots with exotic flowers on the windows facing east and southeast, and in winter to the west and southwest. With a lack of lighting, you must use lamps.
