New Orchids under lights

[pearlsjim]

Hello all, I'm kinda new to orchids and I purchased to new Orchids for my Wife over the Holidays. My question is this, one is a Phal. Zebrina and the other is a Phal. Basticaii. Well at least that's what I ordered, okay I also bought a jumpstart light fixture from amazon.com. So will I have to water more often because they are under the artifical lights or what, they seem to dry out a lot quicker. We have the light on for around 12 hours a day/ Thanks for your answers.....Jim in Ohio

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Phal. Basticaii - are you sure this is spelled correctly?

There is a Phal. bastianii. This is a species.

I'm not aware of a Phal. Basticaii hybrid.

Phal. zebrina is a species as well.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

If they need to be watered more, then they need to be watered more.

I'm thinking it's more because the air in your growing area is dry, not necessarily because of the lights. Unless of course, the lights are emitting mad amounts of heat.

[OrchidSue]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Phal. Basticaii - are you sure this is spelled correctly?

There is a Phal. bastianii. This is a species.

I'm not aware of a Phal. Basticaii hybrid.

Phal. zebrina is a species as well.

I was wondering the same thing. Congratulations, zebrina is a great species. I just love mine.

Any time you change the environment you grow in, you may have to change potting medium, air circulation, and/or watering schedule. If the plants are drying out more quickly, then yes, you will need to water more.

What type/size of fixture is it?

Susan

[johnblagg]

If you are new to orchids you may be assuming they need watered because the top of the medium is dry to the touch and this is not a good indicator of the moisture levels deeper down in the medium.

You need to lean how to judge this and it can be tricky and fool you. Many people use a wooden skewer which is placed into the pot in the medium to tell.Pull the skewer out and if it iis damp they do not need watered if it is still damp best to wait a while longer.

Overwatering is much worse than underwatering and must be watched.

[pearlsjim]

So sorry, I stand corrected my spelling was way off, I thought that was the way they spelled it my bad. Thanks for the other bit of advice on the wooden skewer. I hope being a newbie and asking these kind of questions don't frustrate you pros.

[trdyl]

Welcome to OB!

Don't be afraid to ask about anything. There are no bad questions here.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The whole clear plastic pot dealie works too. Lets you see how the medium is doing and allows the roots to photosynthesize.

What is the potting medium, btw?