Plant Stand Advise Please

[Judi]

This is the time of the year to start thinking about bringing in our chids. My inside winter stand needs to be replaced. My husband and son made it for me years ago before I was addicted to orchids--can't imagine that was ever possible Anyway, there are no lights above the shelves, I have lights attached to the wall, and I am sure my chids don't get enough light even though the stand is infront of a sliding door in my living room. So I am asking for your expert opinions .

I was looking at a stand with fluorescent tube PLD42WS-S fixtures; BuyPlantLights.com — Flora Carts . But I have also read somewhere that florescent bulbs are not really good for plants, they need the T5 type of light. Can anyone please look at the stand and let me know if this is good for my chids? I have phals, oncidium, cattleya, dendrobium, and maxillaria alliances, a paph, and a few other hybrids. So I would really appreciate all your input along with any recommendations for good sources of these stands--if you have any! Do you have any pictures to share of stands you may have in your living room?

Thanks!

[boytjie]

Hi! Greetings from another Upstate New Yorker. T5s would definitely be better for your 'chids than standard fluorescents. They have a higher light output. They're more expensive than standard bulbs, but they use less electricity, so you'll save some $$ in the long run. Can you order that light cart without the lights, and just get T5 units separately? I have a shelving unit I got from Lowes, and it has a bank of four-foot, four-bulb T5 lights over each shelf. I've attached a pic.

[Eyebabe]

My main issue with that stand is the vertical size of the plant is limited.
In my home, I'm using much less expensive metal type stands typically from amazon.com etc. where there is good vertical distance.
Like 3-4 of these Amazon.com: Metal Ivy Design Plant Stand - Style 34764: Home & Garden is more my style.
I use lights clamped to the walls/window sills and I use Wonderlite.

[Judi]

Thanks for the quick replies! Yes Stephen I can get it without the lights, that may be the way to go. Thanks for the T5 advise, I never thought to look at Lowe's for a stand--and they may even have a new shipment of orchids to look at--bonus! And thanks for the idea of using Wonderlite Eyebabe; I like the look of your stand a lot. I think I may opt to get a cheaper stand and then spend more money on good lights. And that's a good point about limited height between shelves. Thanks for the pictures guys!

[PitcherASAMD]

Originally Posted by boytjie

Hi! Greetings from another Upstate New Yorker. T5s would definitely be better for your 'chids than standard fluorescents. They have a higher light output. They're more expensive than standard bulbs, but they use less electricity, so you'll save some $$ in the long run. Can you order that light cart without the lights, and just get T5 units separately? I have a shelving unit I got from Lowes, and it has a bank of four-foot, four-bulb T5 lights over each shelf. I've attached a pic.

I love your setup! I'm in the process of setting one up my new house and wondered if I could pick your brain about your project! What size are your shelves (WxHxD) if you don't mind me asking? How tall is the whole setup? What length lights did you use? What size are your humidity trays?

Thanks,
Katie

[Judi]

Well it took a while, but I finally found the right plant stand for my living room! I found teak plant stands, I got two straight sections and two corner sections, put them together--well actually hubby did that--to get one big unit. I have had it since the end of Sept. and I love it so far. I have 4 multi-spectrum T5 bulbs for lighting. Only problem was the huge chrysalis that came in the packaging--rather hard and gross--but we managed to squish it. I really wanted to see what it turned into, but knew that wasn't a good idea--probably a really nasty bug! Anyway, thought I'd share some pictures of the stand.

[Zoi2]

Very nice!
Joann

[chiquib313]

Love the teak plant stand. Can you tell us where you found it?

[Judi]

I found it at Wayfair: Jewels of Java Plant Stand Middle Unit | Wayfair They are not cheap (went up in price since I got them), but I know they will last and they look good in my living room. They come in straight and corner sections--I got two of each.