Please help with sunburned orchids

[Erin Raven Skye]

I have 2 orchids, a phal my roommate bought me about 2 years ago when I didn't know anything about orchids and I nearly killed it...and I saved a Cattleya from clearance at Lowes last year. I read every book the library had about orchids and both were doing extremely well.

My roommate and I just went to a BBQ last weekend, and the people there have like 30 different orchids all growing outside. The wife tells me she's been growing orchids for about 15 years, and that my orchids should be outside for the summer.

Wanting to do right by the orchids, I followed her advice. I set them up with a sheet overhead to block the strong rays of the sun. I checked on them a few times, and they seemed to be doing good, so I left them out there for the day thinking the sun and heat would be good for them. When I brought them back in a few hours later they didn't look good, and the Cattleya had black spots on it. I looked it up online...sunburn!

Now I feel horrible, like I stuck them in the microwave. My roommate says, "consider it a learning experience", but I feel like I'm torturing them.

the one my roommate got me, all the leaves are all wilted and droopy now , and the Cattelya leaves are about 25% black.

I don't know if they have enough to bounce back...or if I just killed them. I don't know what to do to save them, and I'm afraid anything I do will make it worse.

[Dorothy]

Well light changes should be gradual for any chid ..
Your intentions were well meant!
Orchids are pretty hardy and you still have some nice green. They aren't dead yet!...
I would put them back into the light you had before you put them outside. Let them regain themselves and slowly introduce them to the outside if you wish to.
I grow all my orchids inside. They receive western afternoon sun exposure. The catts up front and the phals behind them.
They will bounce back!
Could someone else comment on whether she should remove the leaves or cut off the black ..
Thanks

BTW - Welcome to OB .. please post an introduction so we can all say Hi to you!

[Ross]

Having sunburned my share of orchids, let me offer a little advice.

1) Welcome to the board
2) As for the learning experience, the Phalenopsis you show here should NEVER be placed in light that bright (full sun). It is best if you keep the light something like an east window. If south window, then 2-3feet away from window is best.
3) Even for orchids that can tolerate full sun (like the ones your friend has) they need to be accustomed to this light over a period of time.
4) Leave the leaves alone - don't cut them back. This is not rot, just damaged leaf tissue. The green parts will be OK, the brown parts will look ugly. After the plant recovers (you did move it back to its old home, right?) you can slowly remove the oldest damaged leaves. If the plant is too badly damaged, it will grow a new pup (called a Keiki) from the base.

[Erin Raven Skye]

Thank you for the welcome

Some of the orchids that the woman had out were also Phals, and I thought with the sheet blocking the direct rays it would have been ok. It was the equivalent of sitting under an umbrella at the beach. The main problem is, I'm from up north, and not used to the Georgia sun I thought I was doing right, and now I feel dreadful. Yes, I did move them back indoors, I just want to make sure I don't do anything further to harm them.

Thank you so much for your advice, hopefully I won't make too many more mistakes in the future

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Erin Raven Skye

Thank you so much for your advice, hopefully I won't make too many more mistakes in the future

Actually you should hope you do - because it's through our mistakes we learn. I wish I had a nickle for every orchid or cactus I have killed through errors of judgement. I wished I had a dollar for every orchid I will probably kill in the future. But I am glad for the knowledge I have gained through experience. Just remember, the plant is probably stronger than you are and has a strong will to live. Give it a chance and see what happens. It's still a learning experience and I'll bet a dollar you see another spike from that Phal!

[Dorothy]

um .. Ross ..
are you wagering?..

[Erin Raven Skye]

I'll give him a dollar if my orchids make it. Although I think he's only wagering on the phal...not the cat

[Dorothy]

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Erin Raven Skye

I'll give him a dollar if my orchids make it. Although I think he's only wagering on the phal...not the cat

Correctimundo! I don't wager on Cats or Dendros. They're too finicky (for me.) Phals are a given if you meet certain requirements (one of which you know by now - NO FULL SUN!) Keep the plant watered (mine get 2-3 waterings per week) and fertilized (mine get week fertilizer at every watering) and the bet is on

[Erin Raven Skye]

Originally Posted by rsfrid

mine get fertilizer at every watering

What kind of fertilizer do you use? I had some that was in with the spray bottle I misted with, but I've since run out. I figure I'd ask from the experts before I purchased some more.