Help! Programable thermidostat and orchids issues.

[justjill3]

I am a newbie. I grow my chids under flourescents on my plant stand in my living room. I am concerned about the effects of my programable thermidostat on my babies. Please check out my collection and tell me if my living environ. conflicts with their needs. My programmed temps are as follows:

Morn. 4:30 AM - 8:15 AM 77
Day 8:15 AM - 4:30 PM 65
Eve 4:30 PM - 11:00 PM 77
Night 11:00 PM - 4:30 AM 74

The light is on a 14.5 hr. cycle starting at 6:00 AM

I have the following chids:

B. nodosa X subulifolia Little Stars
Cattleya Blc. Toshie Aioki X Lc. Hawaiian Flare
Cattleya Sc. Tokyo Magic "6-1" X Rsc. Tokyo Aioki "Pizazz"
Den. Phal.
Onc. Twinkle
Onc. Sharry Baby
Phal. equestris alba X violacea
Dtps. Hsin Sesame

If the program I've described above won't work, please "reprogram" the zones for me. I am open to suggestions.

justjill3

[Ross]

Normally, orchids experience higher humidity at night in the wilds. But mine get much higher humidity during day then at night. As long as the leaves are dry at night you should be OK. Those look like fine humidity readings to me.

[justjill3]

Those are temp. readings, pumkin.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by justjill3

Those are temp. readings, pumkin.

Sorry, I just assumed (and wrongly)

Temps look OK too. Mine is 62F at night and 67F day for similar species.

[justjill3]

WOW! Thanks for making my night. Now, off to secure a new humidifier....

[quiltergal]

I'd drop the night temps 11pm - 4:30 am down to 65 also. JMO

[Ray]

I agree with Terri. The light and temperatures should go hand-in-hand. However, I believe you're "overthinking" it.

My thermostats are programmed for comfort and economy:

• 4-9 a.m. 68° (gives the house a chance to warm before I get up at 5; stays that way until my wife is gone to work.)
• 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 62° (to save $$$. Dogs and cats have fur coats anyway.)
• 4-11 p.m. 68°
• 11 p.m. - 4 a.m. 62°

The plants will warm upon exposure to the light, and with fluorescents, the brassavola, catts, and den should be very close so they get sufficient intensity, while the phals can be a foot or so away, depending upon the particular bulbs used.

It is generally not a good idea to artificially increase the temperature when light levels are low (or off). It tends to lead to soft, "leggy" growth that sometimes cannot support its own weight. In my greenhouse, for example, I have the thermostat set to a minimum acceptable level - 50°- to 60°, depending upon where you are - and I let the sun increase it from there. If we get a week of complete overcast in the winter, that's where it stays all day long for the whole week.

[justjill3]

Originally Posted by Ray

I agree with Terri. The light and temperatures should go hand-in-hand. However, I believe you're "overthinking" it.

My thermostats are programmed for comfort and economy:
[*]4-11 p.m. 68°[*]11 p.m. - 4 a.m. 62°[/LIST]
It is generally not a good idea to artificially increase the temperature when light levels are low (or off).

62??? Remember, this is my living area. I normally sleep at 74. Don't you think it would be a shock to lose MORE than 10 degrees?

[Ray]

Heating oil isn't cheap, so we always crank it down that low. Besides, under a comforter on a heated waterbed, what do I care if the air is colder?

A 10° day/night differential is nothing!

[quiltergal]

Originally Posted by justjill3

62??? Remember, this is my living area. I normally sleep at 74. Don't you think it would be a shock to lose MORE than 10 degrees?

That's what flannel sheets and down comforters are for! Seriously though, I think I paid $90 for a queen sized down comforter and duvet cover, and a little less for a flannel sheet set. I recovered the cost in money saved from the natural gas bill and have been saving ever since. Sleeping under down is about as cozy and decadent as it gets. I sleep better with the heat low. If it's too warm I wake up with a stuffy nose and a headache. The chids seem to like if fine, and right now I have many starting to spike.