Need opinion with growlight positioning

[iamthat]

Hello all, i am new and glad i found this forum.

There is a question i like to ask.

I have a couple of cattleya that i keep indoor without any sunlight so i am using growlight. Have bought a big one.

I understand that cattleyas require 20-30k lux so I position my growlight 2 feet on top of them, and i use spectrometer to read 25k on them leaves. Question is one of their flowers above them are closer to the light and it read 40k lux. Will that be detrimental to the flowers?

I tried to place the growlight shining from the side but my eyes always catches the light.

[Kittyfrex]

Cattleyas love light. And plants that love light can't get too much of it, it's bordeline impossible (not quite, but almost). It's the sun they don't love, or to be more specific, heat radiating onto their tissue, causing burns. If your light doesn't emit a lot of heat, i doubt you'll have much to worry about.

[TaylorEhrhart]

Using a spectrometer for light levels is next level. Shows how much you care about your plants.

ETA. on the YouTube… There's always chatter about grow lights and setups. Might find some cool tips from other growers.

Keep up the awesome work!

[estación seca]

Welcome.

[Waterdog111]

Welcome

[Johndeaux22]

Much of my collection grows under lights in my basement. All of the lights are mounted above the plants, and the only light from the sides is reflected from the walls. Depending on the plant, how it is potted, and how tall it is, I have as little as 1” from the lights. I maintain great air movement, and about 50% humidity in one space (mostly Cattleya’s with a few Australian Dendrobium) with temps from about 58-70 F, another space maintains 75-80% humidity with temperatures ranging from about 60-74 F, also with great air movement. My sunroom has no artificial light, but I get spectacular blooms from a few horrendously large standard Catt. hybrids in there. I’ve found that you can get away with a lot more light than you’d think if you maintain good air movement, and humidity. I do typically run at the upper edge of reasonable light wise, and watch for signs of burning - adjusting if necessary. Most orchid nurseries run much brighter and wetter than most hobbyists would be comfortable with FYI.

[iamthat]

Originally Posted by Johndeaux22

Much of my collection grows under lights in my basement. All of the lights are mounted above the plants, and the only light from the sides is reflected from the walls. Depending on the plant, how it is potted, and how tall it is, I have as little as 1” from the lights. I maintain great air movement, and about 50% humidity in one space (mostly Cattleya’s with a few Australian Dendrobium) with temps from about 58-70 F, another space maintains 75-80% humidity with temperatures ranging from about 60-74 F, also with great air movement. My sunroom has no artificial light, but I get spectacular blooms from a few horrendously large standard Catt. hybrids in there. I’ve found that you can get away with a lot more light than you’d think if you maintain good air movement, and humidity. I do typically run at the upper edge of reasonable light wise, and watch for signs of burning - adjusting if necessary. Most orchid nurseries run much brighter and wetter than most hobbyists would be comfortable with FYI.

So if i position my growlight at 1m right above cattleya, i read 25k lux on the leaves. Also meaning them flowers will be around 40k lux since they are closer to the light. That should be okay right?