Help me choose display areas

[SheilaJ]

OK, all these lovely phals have followed me home. They live in a nice grow room with artificial lights, but of course I want to display them in my living areas when they bloom. Problem is, I don't have the ideal spot for this. Here are some options - which ones would be best (choose more than one if appropriate - I have a lot of orchids!):

1. Foyer - narrow ledge about 5 feet across from the front door. Cold drafts, obviously.

2. Living room - low light, only light comes from east facing window shaded by porch roof, lows in mid to low 60's at night

3. Dining room - moderate light, direct late afternoon sun on the blooms from an unshaded west window (can't cover the window - high light houseplants live there), lows mid to low 60's at night

4. Kitchen/family room - half wall between these two rooms - unvented gas fireplace, gets quite warm and dry, don't think the flowers like it there much

5. Far end of the family room, away from fireplace - gets down to lower 60s at night, but good light

6. Powder room - no light at all, except when in use, warmer than the other places

Help! I need a different house!

Sheila

[mehitabel]

Hey, Sheila. I need a new house, too

What I see here is a tradeoff between light and warmth. In that tradeoff, I would choose light (#5) because low 60's isn't that bad. Except for violaceas, most phals, and especially hybrids can handle the lower 60's at night (and it is getting warmer)

What they can't handle for more than a month or so is *low light*. So I would definitely rule out #s 1, 2 and 6.

IMO, give them the best light you have. Phals bloom for so long-- from now could bloom well into June or July. Way too long for them to be in dim light.

Caution: this is what I would do. Whatever you you choose, hope they thrive there.

[FinnBar]

I second mehitabel.

also, without light the blooms won't last for very long.

[Ross]

Let me offer a different solution. Go for the most noticeable location, disregarding the amount of light. Get a compact florescent light and a decorative fixture or lamp to set next to the plants on display. Set a timer for 12 hours on, 12 hours off. That should do the job for Phals. Plants that require higher light might need a sunny location. Just a thought.