Question
I recently moved my orchids outside, and (not thinking) I put my phalaenopsis orchids where there's more sun- probaly one or two hours in the sfternoon. And I noticed when I went to water them that after two or three days the phalaenopsis orchids had developed big white spots on their leaves- like all color has been bleached out of them. There's a small ring of brown around the leaves. Are the spots bad? Do I need to do something about them, or are they just cosmetic?

Answer
David, I'm guessing that the spots are due to sunlight being focused on the leaves while they are wet.  Afternoon sun is very bright and , this time of year, not only can bleach the leaf but, ultimately can burn it.  The spots are the result of chlorophyll being destroyed.  Those leaves will not return to normal.  Caution is required when putting phalaenopsis orchids outside as they are houseplants. They are best grown indoors in an east facing window.  Morning sunlight is OK as it isn't as intense.  In growing these outside you not only have to protect against light but also temperature.  Phalaenopsis do best as 60-85 degrees but can tolerate temperatures outside of that range for short periods.  The spots should not adversely affect the plant as long as they don't take up much of the total surface area of all the leaves.  This because those bleached areas are no longer capable of photosynthesis.