An orchid for cold, damp, low light office...

[Kaykay]

Is this a possibility? Any ideas? Office may well get down to 5C in winter. Lights are turned off out of office hours, but are very bright, flourescent, when on. (negligible natural light) It's an old, damp building- so creation of humidity no problem.
What do you think? I've been inspired by reading other office orchid adventures and want to have some of my own
Kay

[Royal]

I'm skeptical that anything will thrive with only negligible natural light unless you hang it directly underneath the fluorescent strips. Also the temps seem pretty low.

I would suggest growing under a light with a timer, maybe even a terrarium set up.

[OrchidSue]

I would agree. In general, plants have to be withing 12 inches of fluorescent lights to be effective for growth. They should also be bulbs that are specific for growing plants. Adding low temperatures and damp condigions makes for a bad combination for plant growth.

Susan

[Ross]

If you can add a supplemental desk light, I'd try a Dracula. In general, they will grow and flower under light as low as 400-500 foot-candles, but the best part is the cool temperature. Dracs really thrive under cool temps and moist air. They are sensitive to mineral buildup so water with distilled water.

[Kaykay]

Ross,
thanks for the pointer! I was hoping that there would be maybe something somewhere out there. Distilled water no prob (live in hard water area so use it anyway). Any specific species/ hybrids you'd go for? Have never grown anything from the pleurothallis alliance before...
And dracs are such good looking plants!!!
Kay

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Kaykay

Ross,
thanks for the pointer! I was hoping that there would be maybe something somewhere out there. Distilled water no prob (live in hard water area so use it anyway). Any specific species/ hybrids you'd go for? Have never grown anything from the pleurothallis alliance before...
And dracs are such good looking plants!!!
Kay

I have three different Dracs but no recommendations, per se. Depends on what you like. Try for D. lotax as it is small, really like cool air and high humidity and I grow mine down in bottom of a tank with really low light (only source of light is florescent tubes at top of tank.) I once measured the light and think it was only about 500 foot-candles. You can get close to that with a florescent desk lamp set very close to the plant. The flowers are held approx at top of leaves so light tubes can be real close. Good luck on this mission. It's worth a try.