So, me, being an idiot, burnt several plants on Saturday. Of course, the first thing I did when I discovered the disaster probably was a mistake - I watered in an effort to cool them down and lost at least three plants to rot. Maybe one more, not sure yet. After a bit of surgery, on a few Catts and a Brassia (don't worry Peter, it is okay!) and a couple phals, what's the best way to acclimate them without further damage?

I've had them out this afternoon, but in shaded conditions. I won't leave them out from now on, unattended, until they are good to go. Any idea how long that might take? The leaves seem more dehydrated than anything.

I get pretty full sun where they are from about 2:00 and still going strong now, probably until about 7pm, but weaker light of course. They will be on shelves w/ the highest light plants on top, and the one's below shaded by the one's above. I thought tomorrow, I'd try putting them out when I get home from work around 4:30.

How to proceed? Any tips would be very helpful.

I would keep them in BRIGHT shade for now, early morning sun should be ok. So, The Brassia didn't get burned? Mine goes outside in full direct sun in the summer.

I would wait a week or two as Pete said in bright shade. Orchids are resilient as your shpag and bag routine showed me!

One of the hardest things I've found is to acclimate indoor to full sun outdoors but it can be done IF you have patience.

The first goal is get them used to at least morning full sun...just a few hours and feel the leaves to see if they're getting warm. Warm means increase humidity and air or possibly move. Try not to wet the leaves while in the sun, it acts as a prism and magnifies the effects. It's then a matter of how the leaves respond after time. You might consider using a white sheet as a cheap, protective covering.

The best way I've found though is to find a sturdy branch on one of my oaks or maples with some new growth leaves to block the full sun effect. The breezes cause the twigs to sway and won't let the sun concentrate on one area of the chid leaf to burn it.

I feel your pain. I just burned up maybe a hundred plants (mostly minicatts, which is better than paphs). My roof vent lets in some of the hot afternoon light. OF course it is open when it is hottest (sunniest), which spelled instant doom for that little corner. I'm calling it the 'Corner of death". Is that 'Rinconada del Muerte' in spanish? My spanish is only slightly better than my french... *grin*

I think so, my Spanish is much worse than my French, which is pretty bad.

Thanks for the support. It was a dumb move, but I'm not so broken up about it- they were there because they had been ousted from the growing area due to lack of space anyway. And the others - well, they're *others*. Most should be fine, though they might look a bit rough.

They're all in on the counter for now, will put back out this afternoon, late in the day...going to take time though...

My foreign language is almost as good as my English....HORRIBLE! I had to drop out of Spanish 101 in college after 2 weeks. The Prof didn't speak a word of English after the first class introduction. I was lost all I learned was "I don't like the professor" in Espanol. Can't type it though. I was not much of a student then!

Mine have never burned but they only get morning and late evening sun. I put them on the North side against the house near a large tree that blocks the sun from noon to 7:30pm.

Heather==you have no shade anywhere? No trees?No little canopy style tent or anything(doesn't have to have screening on the side)?All you need is some dappled light somewhere during the day so your house must have a north side where it is shaded for the worst part of the day when the light is most intense.Here I am rambling on :D Stick a sheer or lacy curtain up on your porch to block the intense sun from reaching the plants.

Heather==you have no shade anywhere? No trees?No little canopy style tent or anything(doesn't have to have screening on the side)?All you need is some dappled light somewhere during the day so your house must have a north side where it is shaded for the worst part of the day when the light is most intense.Here I am rambling on :D Stick a sheer or lacy curtain up on your porch to block the intense sun from reaching the plants.

The area I had them get's North facing sun from 2 until about 5pm. The shelf on the top is the least sheltered - I have a shear, that's a good idea. The others below are shaded by those above.

Now though I've moved them to the front to try there, where my porch is covered, so they will get morning light. The one's I had in this spot last summer (the higher light lovers) did well there.