What is indirect light?

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WillCreed New York, NY(Zone 6a) Oct 01, 2002

It is often reported that many indoor plants require "indirect light." I think there may be a lot of confusion about just what that means.

I would like to find out what you think "indirect light" means. Be as specific as possible.

Thanks.

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AngelSong Victoria, TX(Zone 9b) Oct 01, 2002

I translate indirect light to be:
Very close to a bright window, but without direct sun beating down on the plant's leaves.

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LibbyLiz Fairchild Air Force , WA(Zone 7a) Oct 03, 2002

My definition of indirect light is sun which is filtered through nearby greenery (trees, bushes, or shrubs) or a lightweight light colored unlined curtain. Also factor in roof overhangs & mini blinds semi closed.

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SLEDDER Pittsburgh, PA(Zone 6a) Oct 03, 2002

Indirect....How's about through a window "sheer" curtain? But I'm guessing it makes a difference also which direction ..east, south, etc.

This message was edited Thursday, Oct 3rd 2:24 PM

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haighr Laurel, DE(Zone 7a) Oct 03, 2002

I always thought it meant light filtered through another object, just like all of the above, filtered through trees, shrubs or sheer curtains. I think of direct sunlight as a plant sitting outside with no blockage from the suns direct rays, and indirect as that which the light travels through some other object before getting to the plant. Both being the complete opposite of no light which is an easy one to figure out!

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Aotearoa New York City, NY(Zone 6b) Nov 12, 2002

My wife, with a physicist's eye on the natural world said, "Indirect light is by definition light diffused from it's primary source, whether by reflection off a surface or by the interference effects of filtration."

Adam.

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notmartha Bay City, MI(Zone 6a) Nov 12, 2002

i still put my plants right in the southwindow-i figure the tinted window makes it filtered and the plants seem to luv it there!!!?

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stellapathic Cambria, CA(Zone 10a) Nov 17, 2002

This is what I consider indirect light. Bright but not direct. My bird's nest sure seems to love it.

Thumbnail by stellapathic
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CoCo Nov 23, 2002

Maybe this will help with some of your house plants



http://www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/horticulture/g837.htm

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Aotearoa New York City, NY(Zone 6b) Nov 23, 2002

Thank you for the link, CoCo, very helpful.

Adam.

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maddy Sodwana Bay KZN, South Africa Nov 24, 2002

Hi Will, long time no hear! I am not in this forum very often.
Indirect light to me is the same as bright shade - light reflected from an opposite bright wall for example. Such as in a south window (sorry, that would be a north facing window for most of you ;-)), no direct sun, no filtered sun.
Maddy

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