Can Phalaenopsis leaves be exposed to sunlight? Master the right light intensity
The flower language of the Phalaenopsis orchid is "happiness is flying to you," carrying a beautiful and romantic meaning. Many people give them during the Chinese New Year or on special anniversaries, either for themselves or as gifts, because placing a pot at home is not only festive but also brings good fortune. No wonder everyone loves it! However, not long after buying one and bringing it home, its flowers begin to look listless, as if they are about to die. When this kind of problem comes up during normal care, how should it be solved?
Besides the watering principles, light is a concern on the minds of many flower growers when it comes to growing Phalaenopsis well. One grower asked: the weather has been very nice these past few days with plenty of sunshine, and many books say that when the light is especially strong, Phalaenopsis will get sunburned. But I want to ask, if the illuminance alone exceeds 50000LUX and the leaf temperature does not rise, under these conditions will the leaves of the Phalaenopsis be scorched?
In fact, the reasons Phalaenopsis gets sunburned are mainly related to the following factors. First is the on-site humidity. Phalaenopsis is a tropical plant that likes a high-humidity environment. If the air humidity is especially low, water on the leaf surface evaporates faster, causing the leaves to become shriveled and fragile. Under these conditions, direct sunlight can easily cause sunspots on the leaf surface, and even scorched yellow or brown scars. This is especially true for homes in dry northern regions, or places with heating in winter, where the relative humidity is low. If strong light is added on top of that, the leaves of Phalaenopsis are very easily sunburned.
Next is that Phalaenopsis has a limited ability to adapt to light. It likes soft light, not direct strong light. If it is usually used to a light intensity of 5000lux, and is suddenly exposed to strong light exceeding 5000lux, the leaves cannot withstand the sudden change, and this can also cause sunburn. This is just like a person who usually works indoors suddenly running out into the scorching sun; the skin easily turns red and may even peel.
Finally, different varieties of Phalaenopsis also differ somewhat in their tolerance to light. Some rare varieties in particular have a waxy layer on their leaves, which looks thick and substantial, but they are actually especially sensitive to strong light. These varieties with a strong waxy layer are generally found under tree shade; their surface looks thick, but in reality they resist strong light poorly.