Subject: Culture question From: m@hotmail.com Date sent: Tue, 30 Apr 2002 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MESSAGE SENT THROUGH YOUR WEBSITE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ name = Jean Mao Hi, I would like to know the 'general' light requirement for the following orchids, NOT IN FOOTCANDLEs, but in PAR (umol.m-2.s-1). Please let me know where i might be able to find answer if you are not sure about the answer: Cattleya, minicatt, Oncidium, Dendrobium, Miltoniopsis, Phalaenopsis. Thank you very much!!!

Hi Jean It is always difficult to give general recommendations applicable to all plants. However, some general guide-lines are on the following page http://www.angelfire.com/or3/orchidsnz/cymb/culture.htm under the heading 'shading'. Some general indication will also be found on the habitat series pages http://www.angelfire.com/or3/orchidsnz/habitats/habframe.html under each of the 4 habitats. Note hat those plants with thick heavy leaves generally take more light; thin leaves generally require shading. If you know the specific species then it is often better to look at the specific species information, especially for a diverse genus such as oncidium. The general recommendations will generally be the most practicable. Measurement, in whatever form, still requires judgement because of variation between species in a genus, and between individual plants. I do not know of a source for the particular measurements you require. I presume there will be conversion factors around, but I do not have this. If you cannot find information, I would suggest that you do a post on the newsgroup rec.gardens.orchids and see if you get a response. That group has some very knowledgeable people, and someone there may be able to assist. Regards Phil

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