To understand our light needs, you must first know where we come from. We are epiphytes, native to the shady, humid understory of the tropical forests in Brazil. This means we grow on trees, sheltered from the intense, direct rays of the sun by a dense canopy above. Our light is bright but always filtered and dappled. This origin is the single most important factor in determining our ideal light conditions. Furthermore, we are what botanists call "short-day plants." This is a crucial piece of information for our blooming cycle. Our flower bud set is triggered by longer periods of uninterrupted darkness (14+ hours) and shorter days, which naturally occur as winter approaches.
During our main growing season from spring through summer, our primary need is for bright, indirect light. A spot near an east-facing window is perfect, as it provides plenty of morning sun which is less intense. A north-facing window can also work well. If the only available option is a south or west window, it is imperative that you place us a few feet away from the glass or use a sheer curtain to diffuse the strong afternoon light. Direct sun during these hours will scorch our leaves, causing them to turn a reddish-purple color (a sign of stress) and eventually become pale and burnt. Our segments may also become limp and yellow.
As autumn arrives and daylight hours shorten, the light we receive takes on a new role: it becomes the environmental cue that tells us it is time to prepare for our spectacular bloom. To initiate buds, we require those long nights of darkness mentioned earlier. Starting around early October, we need at least 12-14 hours of complete, uninterrupted darkness each night for a period of 6-8 weeks. Even brief exposure to artificial light during this critical dark period—such as a streetlamp, car headlights, or a room light—can disrupt the process and prevent budding. During the shorter days of this period, continue to provide us with bright, indirect light. This combination of short days/long nights and proper daytime light provides the energy needed to develop strong, vibrant flowers.
We will clearly communicate if our light situation is not ideal. If we are receiving too much direct light, our stems will develop a reddish tint (though some reddening can also be due to other stresses like under-watering or cool temperatures) and may appear scorched or bleached. If we are not receiving enough light, our growth will become leggy and etiolated, with large gaps between stem segments. The plant will look stretched and weak. Most critically, a complete lack of flower buds during the holiday season is the primary indicator that our required photoperiod of long nights was not met, likely due to interference from artificial light sources.
