Is a textured window considered indirect light?
 

Hi friends,

Is a textured bathroom window scattered enough to be considered bright indirect light? (The window itself is southwest facing, so tons of bright direct midday sun)

Thanks,
N.

The physics of light plays a little trick on us with respect to glazing. The light doesn’t actually “go through”, but is absorbed, transmitted, and reradiated into the space on the other side. To a plant, the window (or greenhouse cover, for that matter) is the “source” of the light. That’s why a plant placed high in a greenhouse can burn, but if moved 6’ lower, might not. If the plant viewed the “light source” as the sun, 93-million miles versus 93-million miles and 6 feet is not a significant difference, is it?

Back to your original question, certainly a textured window will reduce the intensity a bit by scattering the light, but in that case, it’s the type of texturing and degree of scattering that’s important - the greater the dispersion of the light, the lower the “straight on” intensity - making your answer one of degrees, rather than yes/no.

If you have a fan blowing on orchids in a sunny window their leaves will not rise much above room temperature and will not burn. It doesn't require a powerful fan.

Thanks ES & Ray! Appreciate the input.
Here is the window and the light situation. It is southwestern. It is actually brighter than what you see, it is hard to capture with the camera as it points into the light.

ES- this is also where the bulbophyllum was, off to the right so it is shaded. I have since moved it, isolating in a different room.

Off topic: how is that fan attached? Suction cups, screws? I think I see a suction cup.

I use these tiny clear Command hooks! I also use them for hanging my orchid mounts. Very handy and sturdy.

I have those! That's just a computer fan? I need a better way to circulate winter air in my greenhouse window.

Yep, it is very quiet. Pretty sure it was this one: https://www.amazon.com/AC-Infinity-M...ef_=ast_sto_dp

It was recommended by some growers, for both orchids and begonias. I will say, the fan is not very strong, but it does the job of gently circulating air without compromising humidity too much.

TY

Ray - Is that why I've seen a few botanists say plain white reflectors are better than metallic, especially for understory plants?

Edit: I love AC Infinity fans. I have two in my high humidity tent, they only get noisy when there's too much mineral buildup from the fogger on the blades.