Growing Windowsill Orchids
Far from needing lots of light, orchids are actually quite sensitive and will suffer in bright light. Orchids on windowsills perform best in east- or west-facing windows, where they receive some light in the morning or afternoon. The ideal amount of light is about five hours per day. If you place them in a south-facing window you may have to hang a screen or a curtain to scatter some of the light. You may also have to do this in east or west windows if the sun coming in is especially intense. You can get a sense of how strong the light is by holding your hand a foot (30.5 cm.) above the spot you plan on putting the orchid. Make sure to do this on a sunny day when the light is coming through the window. If your hand casts a clearly defined shadow, the light is too bright. If it casts no shadow, it’s too weak. Ideally, you want your hand to cast a fuzzy shadow.
Orchid Plants for Windowsills
There are a huge variety of orchids out there, and some are more suited to life on a windowsill than others. Some of the best windowsill orchids are moth orchids, Phalaenopsis hybrids which only need three hours of sunlight per day. Other good orchid plants for windowsills include Masdevallia and Restrepia varieties. Caring for orchids grown in windowsills is pretty much the same as other areas of the home. For more info on specific orchid needs, this link will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/orchids
