Inconsistent information on the internet. Where do you trust?

[rbarata]

I always collect lots of information from web sites, here, other forums, OrchidWiz, IOSPE, etc.
There is always contradicting information. That's when the habitat information gets important (OrchidWiz is very good at this since it has that info).

[Maryanne]

Hi Folks:
My additions to this discussion, without specific plant advice:
Do your homework (research)!
Buy or adopt what you think you can accommodate (see Research)
Buy more of the kind that live and bloom for you : -)
Don't adopt more of what keeps kicking the bucket!
Your mileage will vary...
Every orchid/plant is a Lottery Ticket ...
It is All an Experiment...You don't Know until you Try... (keep trying)
Every time you try a new genus, You Are Again a Beginner...
(corralary: why can I get Best Species for one plant, while another languishes and pouts? hm...)
I think this goes for orchids, houseplants, garden plants, pets, etc.

Good luck and happy growing to all,
Maryanne

[Fairorchids]

1,500-3,500 sounds like footcandles, not lumens.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

1,500-3,500 sounds like footcandles, not lumens.

True! ... What I'd like to see is evidence ------ a web link that shows/proves that somebody indeed typed the wrong units (or not). At the moment - none of us have seen the site or source that has those values with the supposed wrong units.

[Orchidking]

I haven't placed much importance on light - the guides are a guide to how much a plant needs but ultimately it really doesn't matter that much if you monitor your plants.
The leaves indicate when light is too intense or when it is too weak, the leaves can show when the plant needs feeding and are generally a good guide of overall health.

I have found that amongst my vanda's some like more feeding -others like less - it depends on the individual plant sometimes.

When I first got my vanda's I gave them the recommended light level - it was far too strong since they were not that big. Mature plants will need far more than immature plants so the guides are a good guide but on top of that the plant should be telling you what it needs too.

[rbarata]

Or maybe lumen was used because the plants have been growing under lights.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Orchidking

I haven't placed much importance on light.

Providing adequate light levels and lighting 'type' for orchid growing is one of the golden rules of orchid growing. So it is important to have the light level at suitable levels for a long enough amount of time - each day. Requiring an adequate amount of light - eg. intensity and duration is an important factor for orchid health. And then, beyond that - if we would like to see flowering, then light levels and other factors must be considered too.

[Ray]

Orchids are "niche" plants. Each has adapted to a certain set of requirements - light, temperature, humidity, watering/drying frequency, etc.

Every criterion has upper and lower limits that are fine for the individual plant, and while some may have some leeway, hitting the "sweet spot" is how you get the best growth and flowering.

[DirtyCoconuts]

I got an email back from the admin on the Orchid blog...they very nicely thanked me for pointing out the error and informed me that the template they had used was written in Lumens but the numbers were in fact for FC and they have adjusted the page.


also, the original plant is doing VERY well.

thanks for all the help

Plants, yo by J Solo, on Flickr
Plants, yo by J Solo, on Flickr
Plants, yo by J Solo, on Flickr
Plants, yo by J Solo, on Flickr

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by Orchidking

I haven't placed much importance on light - the guides are a guide to how much a plant needs but ultimately it really doesn't matter that much if you monitor your plants.

I agree that there are "guidelines" for lighting. As you point out, a Vanda may not require as much light at the higher levels when it's a young tender plant. Also, a Vanda taken from under lights grown indoors and thrust directly into the highest light levels it can tolerate without slowing transitioning is a problem, regardless of the plant's age.

It is important to monitor the plant and tweak it so it gets the best amount of light for the best growth and blooming. That's why we seek out that "sweet spot" with certain orchids to obtain that reddish blush.

I disagree light is not important and ultimately doesn't matter just by monitoring a plant. One can easily fry or sunburn an orchid in a day's time to the point of no return. That leaves you with nothing left to monitor, and depending on the orchid a costly mistake. Or one could under-light an orchid and grow it for years without ever seeing a bloom. Light, air, water, temperature are all important and playing a guessing game while one monitors isn't sufficient for good growing.

---------- Post added at 01:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:41 PM ----------

PS That orchid is looking super nice DirtyCoconuts! Good growing.