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It is interesting to see comments on foliage color and the desire for lush,
dark leaves.
As long as I can remember, almost all of the better commercial and hobby
orchid growers have recommended growing in low light if all you want is
beautiful dark green foliage, but growing in higher light, without burning
the leaves, to produce the best flowering with most orchids. The
amount of light for "high light" differs with the genus (or genera
with intergeneric hybrids) and species involved. Depending on the
genetics of the plant, the foliage will often become a light yellowish green
under high light, while the foliage of some plants may appear darker due to the
formation of reddish pigment in the leaves. Common sense and experience
are the best guides for an individual plant. At a show last year, I saw a
beautiful intensely red flowered Phalaenopsis hybrid exhibited by a commercial
breeder and grower. It was under consideration by an AOS judging team and
it received an AM/AOS flower quality award. The plant was large and
vigorous. The foliage was very stiff and sturdy and a light
yellowish-green color, obviously from growing under high light conditions, but
it had two spikes and a high flower count for the breeding.
Since I grow orchids for the flowers, I grow under as much light as the
plant will take without damage. If I want dark green leaves, I will grow
Philodendron under low light conditions.
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