Can Orchids Take Sunlight? The Correct Lighting and Care Method
Can orchids take sunlight? This question cannot be answered with a single rule. In different seasons and different environments, different lighting methods are needed. As the saying about growing orchids goes, “In spring do not take them out, in summer do not sun them, in autumn do not let them dry, in winter do not keep them wet.” This means that in spring they should be protected from cold wind and not moved outdoors; in summer they fear direct sunlight and should be placed in a cool, ventilated spot; in autumn the potting soil should not be allowed to dry out, as this is the orchid's bud-forming period, so watering should be appropriately increased; in winter they are in a dormant state, and too much water easily causes root rot, so the principle is to let the soil dry and moisten alternately.
Orchids by nature prefer shady, cool environments and fear direct sunlight. Therefore, in the north from April to early May, they may be given a bit more sunlight before 9 a.m.; after mid-May they need shading, and at this time they should be placed in a cool, ventilated spot for cultivation. In summer especially, the degree of shading must be greater, and they must never be exposed to scorching sun.
Among Chinese orchids, the shade tolerance is greatest in Chinese cymbidium (Cymbidium sinense), followed by autumn orchid (Cymbidium ensifolium), while spring orchid (Cymbidium goeringii) and summer orchid (Cymbidium faberi) need more sunlight. Light is an important factor in the formation of flower buds in orchids. Although orchids need appropriate shading during their growth period in spring, summer and autumn, keeping orchids in a shaded place year-round without letting them receive sunlight will also affect flower bud differentiation, resulting in fewer flowers or no flowers at all. Therefore, after the autumn cools, all kinds of orchids should be given more sunlight or placed indoors in a spot with bright scattered light and good ventilation. In winter, place them near a south-facing window to receive more light, so as to enhance their vitality and promote flower bud differentiation. Especially for Chinese cymbidium and cold orchid (Cymbidium kanran), which bloom in winter, they should be placed indoors in a sunny spot in winter; without light they will not bloom well.