Question about paph light - Orchid Board

Steve_1111 · #1 05-12-2019, 02:41 PM

I have 4 small NBS paph. Maudiaes under two 28w full spectrum LEDs. They are about 6 or 7 inches from the lights. Should I move them?

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 05-12-2019, 11:36 PM

What is the PAR and Kelvin temperature?

wisdomseeker · #3 05-13-2019, 01:16 AM

If you have recently started growing your phaps under LEDs, I would observe for overall-health of the plant... if you notice anything funky going on (from the light they are receiving ~ leaf burn, leaf discoloration, mottled foliage starts fading or starts to disappear), you could always move your plants or raise the height of your light to see if things start to improve.

I've been growing out a few phap hybrid seedlings (P. delenatii primarys) under LEDs for a couple of years, without problems. Some are about 7-8" under the lights, others are about 10" below the lights.

*Just an opinion for what it is worth - I think "quality" of light is more important than "quantity/intensity/or wattage consumed" from a light. Lumens and Lux are good indicator tools for brightness, especially with the human eye. PAR & PPF are even better light quality/light intensity (indicator tools) for plants. The downside... not everyone can afford and/or gain access to a PAR meter. I find myself using the 'observation tool' more than the light meter tools. So far, it has worked out pretty good.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #4 05-13-2019, 02:37 AM

Sometimes the bulbs are pre-rated for PAR, you can look on the package for the info. Same goes for Kelvin temperature.

PAR is important to know. 28 W at a PAR of 24 is not as intense as 28 W at a PAR of 36. Knowing the PAR will help determine whether you actually need to get a bulb with higher PAR or move the plant further away from the light, (which was the question the OP had).

Knowing lumens output is important too. 28 W at 600 lumens is different from 28 W at 1,200 lumens. You don't really have to have a light meter, but if you had one great. You can check the roundabout amount of lumens output the bulb you have is producing by the rating on the box. Again, knowing this even if it is a rough estimate is important in figuring out if the plant should be moved.

Kelvin temperature is more useful than knowing that it is "full spectrum". The term "full spectrum" can mean anything. If the bulb is rated at 5,500 K it can be considered full spectrum, but so is a bulb rated at 7,200 K. However, those in the know will understand that the "full spectrum" 7,200 K bulb has a higher output of light in the blue and violet wavelength compared to the 5,500 K "full spectrum" bulb.

LED's have such a wide range of lighting options that just saying that it is 28 W and that it is "full spectrum", is not enough information to give the OP an informed answer.

Understanding light parameters outside of the wattage is vastly important.

Visually looking at light is not the best indicator of whether the light is adequate or not. Some lights just don't look that intense, but they are actually intense enough to do the job. This is why knowing the wattage, PAR rating, Kelvin temperature, and lumens/lux output that a bulb is rated for on the package is important information even if it is not precise.

I'm coming at this not just from the angle of growing plants, but I also used to have a coral reef tank where knowing light parameters are critical.

wisdomseeker · #5 05-13-2019, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

LED's have such a wide range of lighting options that just saying that it is 28 W and that it is "full spectrum", is not enough information to give the OP an informed answer.

Understanding light parameters outside of the wattage is vastly important.

Could not agree with you more. Maybe the OP can elaborate more about their question, "Should I move them?"

Ray · #6 05-13-2019, 07:57 AM

Even knowing little about the specifics, I suspect 2 x 28 watt, full-spectrum LEDs from only 6"-7" is likely WAY too much light for paphs.

I am currently growing a couple of neo x vanda crosses about 18" under a single 13W LED (cool white/warm white/red), and they are heavily pigmented, and one is spiking.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #7 05-13-2019, 10:35 AM

I have a Paph that is about 1' and 3" away from a LED bulb that is rated at 36 W 30 PAR 6,000 K and produces approximately 2,900 lumens. The light is not shining directly on the Paph. The plant is approximately 10 - 15 degrees off from the center of the bulb. It is a little bit shaded. It has been growing there for about 5 months or so. Before that, it was grown in a more shaded area, and it did poorly.

Here it is if you wanted to know exactly what I have over my Paph:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Like I said before, I don't know enough about the parameters of a 28 W "full spectrum" bulb to say anything useful.

I can definitely tell you what my parameters are. You can compare.

camille1585 · #8 05-14-2019, 08:48 AM

While it does sound like it may be too much, a good approach for now is to keep a close eye on the plants. If you see changes in leaf color, or worst case, burns, then it's too much light.

How many hours are they turned on? What other plants do you grow/bloom under those lights?

I'm going to assume full spectrum is meant in the sense that it gives off a white light and is not those monochromatic blue/red types.