Ok, thanks. I'll have to think on that. The problem is getting them some morning sun and then not having them in the sun the rest of the day. I work all day so I can't be there to monitor them and make sure they're not getting burned. Much of my front and back yard are in the shade at least part of the day, especially in the morning. There is one area by the driveway that's in the sun all day. I'm really not sure where I can put them where they will get just the right amount of light. I might have to move them out in the sunny area early every morning and move them back before I go to work. I'm not sure that will be enough time though and I'm afraid I will forget them and leave them out in the sun. I could put them in the backyard where there is some dappled light. That might be better than the porch, I don't know.

People do use lights but I have no knowledge or experience with that. Dappled light is a possibility. Dappled could be mostly shade or mostly sun or half. Check it out. It might work. Good luck...

You could rig up a "shade-house" or similar in the sunniest part of the yard. This is part of a shade-house in a similar latitude to Atlanta but in the Southern Hemisphere (latitude 34S Approx).

Extra shade-cloth is put on the roof in the warmer months. Apart from the shade-cloth the plants are exposed to the weather.

At this latitude in this climate unprotected plants will burn even in winter. The shade-house gets sun most of the day. .

You are in Atlanta. Can't you put them under a tree where they get morning sun and dappled shade all afternoon? They definitely need more light if you hope for flowers, but they would be so much happier and healthier outdoors.

Just move them gradually.

Jane

I'm going to observe the front and backyard this weekend and see where they might could go. It seems morning sun is scarce, with afternoon sun more plentiful. I can give them several hours of morning sun by the driveway on weekend days when I'm home and can move them later. Other days may have to be dappled shade only.

If you wanted to try and bring them indoors you could support them with a grow light. Would help nurse them back too. Here's one I like www.soltechsolutionsllc.com/aspect/

Afternoon sun outdoors will work if they get some shade. If you have a tree, hang them under the tree. The intensity of light outdoors can hardly match the dismal light indoors unless you spend a fortune on professional lighting.

Look for a shady spot and put the plants there for the summer. You don't need to bring them in and out.

Jane

Jane, there are trees and there are trees. If I had a Mango Tree in the back yard, nothing much would grow under its canopy. You need something with a thin canopy. Had a 30 metre Eucalyptus citriodora growing in the yard which filled the bill till it had to be removed because of wind damage. After its removal I had sun burnt orchid leaves in some of my orchid houses.

Do they rate shade-cloth in the USA? 50% is mostly used here.

Well I found a spot or two where they can get morning light from around 8-10:00 or 8:30-10:30. Another place they can get light from around 10-11:30. Not sure which is better. There are oak trees which provide shade and sometimes dappled light the rest of the day. Frustrating because when I move them to any of these dappled spots and put them where the sunlight is, it soon becomes shade. I would assume the light is still a little better there than on the eastern porch, but who knows.

Another related question is about my phals inside. They are about three feet from the eastern window. That's the best window light I have. Could probably use more light but I think they do ok in summer. (Am going to put them out at least for cooler temps later on). In winter though, I am sure they need more light. Then again, it's not their growing season in wintering so how much do they have to have? I have thought of getting a plant light but that can be so complicated - what kind, the cost, how far from the plants, how many hours...I had a lot of difficulty with plant lights when I got into African violets, and though I eventually got it right, I'm not eager to experience that again. (Apparently lighting that worked for others burned my plants).

Any one of those spots will make a difference. Probably will bloom. Maybe if you could get someone up the tree with a saw and open the sunlight hole. Nothing crazy or overboard. But don't move them around. Keep them in one spot.

I've discovered the phal light subject matters on llattitude. Your phals will take more light than here is South Florida. Local growers can be beneficial. Join the local society?

The light is so intense in S. Florida, orchids under a Mango do just fine. Arthur, I have a large Nodosa blooming now. It hangs under that tree.

Most of my orchids are inside our screened patio which has shade cloth over the top yet it is still too intense for many varieties. I like keeping my orchids on the patio as I spend more time with those than the other orchids under trees. They get the most attention and I can spot things faster than the plants growing outside. I wish I had enough room to have all my plants on the patio.

I have many plants hanging under a Loquat Tree which provides little sun yet the afternoon sun is so strong some will get burned with just a short exposure to the afternoon sun.

I have a large Oak with some orchids under or hanging from it but they do not seem to do as well for various reasons. The tree is high pruned and allows afternoon sun to hit them.

Best to play around with your yard and watch how much sun or 'brightness' they are getting. In Florida, 'brightness' without any direct sun works well for many.

Your Phals will do better outside where they will get the Fall cool down.

Jane

So is this sunburn or some other problem? They are still too green looking but now some of the leaves are drying up and browning. I may have to accept I don't have the right light condition for these.

Looks like sunburn. Don't worry about it.

Jane