In the home gazebo in North Palm Beach [50% south Florida sun -- a LOT more
intense than what you northern types get], I've had them grow themselves out
through the openings and into full sun.

I speak from experience when I talk about sun intensity -- I now live in
northern Palm Beach County, Florida, grew up in Ft. Lauderdale [about 50
miles south], spent several years in Gainesville [about 240 miles north]
for school, and have spent lesser amounts of time in Milwaukee, the Florida
keys, and Belize. In Milwaukee, I could spend a full day in the summer sun
[no sunscreen] without even darkening a noticeable shade of tan, never mind
burning. In Gainesville, that would result in a light, warm pink which
would turn into a tan in a day or 2. Around here, I'd have a very
uncomfortable sunburn that would probably peel, more so in Ft. Lauderdale.
In the keys, I'd be thoroughly "lobstered," and if I tried that in Belize,
it would probably leave permanent scars, assuming I survived [I wore tons of
max-strength sunscreen and stayed out of the midday sun down there, and
still came home very dark].

Just something to keep in mind when considering percentages of shade. The
other thing to remember is gradual acclimation when moving plants to
brighter light.
--
Kenni Judd
Juno Beach Orchids

http://www.jborchids.com
"Diane Mancino" wrote in message
. net...
how much direct sunlight outside? I'm still figuring out what is happy in
what spot on the patio. cymbidium and zygo are happy in the open while a
catt next to them needed to be moved quickly to a shadier spot. only about
4
hrs direct sun, the rest is filtered.

Diane


"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
thlink.net...
Some of your plants do well with less light than Dendrobiums need. Phals
&
Paphs are lovers of lower light. Oncidiums need more, as you found when
the
addition of more light gave you spikes. Dends need considerable light
in
order to bloom, and SOME Dends need a winter "rest", i.e. no water or
fertilizer from late November until new growth starts in late winter or
so.
Please don't ask which Dends need the rest, but I can tell you this
much:
Nobile types need it, and Den. discolor needs it. I grow a load of
Dends,
and most don't get that rest and bloom all year.

You don't say if the Dends ever bloomed (when you bought them, were they
blooming?). If not, it's always possible that they are too young to
flower,
but it doesn't sound like it. Try to get on a regular fertilization
schedule, and most important of all: light, light, light. Good luck!

Diana