Determining Light levels

[miowntime]

Can anyone tell me an easy way to gauge my light level in my grow room without buying equipment or lights?

I have northeast exposure. The strongest sum comes in the morning; it casts a clear shadow of my plants on the wall. Unfortunately this is only for my left window. The right window is in partial shade as a rooftop obscures it somewhat...

Anybody wanna take a guess as to what kind of light this may be?

I wanted to try orchids other than phals. I had decided upon a den kinganium until the question of light raised its ugly head.

Thanks for any and all advice!

Beth

[scy]

You can either get a light meter to measure your light intensity or you can use a manual camera to figure out your light levels. I used option 2 with the help of Ray from FirstRays. This link will go into more detail on how to figure it out using your manual camera: Light Intensity Measurement

Hope this helps!

Susan

[Paul Mc]

There's also an app on the iphone for a light meter. There was quite the discussion on the OB about that about a month or so ago. It was quite technical and they lost me, but there seemed to be some confusion about it's accuracy.

You might want to search for that thread and read up on it if you're interested in the iphone app.

[camille1585]

Hard to determine the light levels without a light meter. But if you have a camera with manual settings you can get some ballpark figures.
But I also have a northeast facing window (gets some morning sun only from march to october) I've bloomed Onc hybrids with no problems in that window, morning sun was even enough to turn the leaves nearly yellow. I don't really grow Dens, so can't help with those. I think you could easily grow Paphs as well, although the light might be a bit strong sometimes, particularily during the summer months.

[Paul Mc]

I grow den's as they seem to do best in an eastern window, or in a sheltered position on a west window. I attempted to leave on in a sunny west position, and it hasn't been very happy with me.

One word about light. I was shocked to learn how much light was coming in through my windows! It was very decieiving for me! Places I didn't think I could grow plants I found out that I actually can (and in fact, the light may actually be too bright in those areas). While knowing how much light there is from a meter will be helpful, ultimately it boils down to keeping a watchful eye on your orchid and recognizing quickly any changes that need to be made.

I survived without a light meter for 4 years and was very successful. I finally got one because curiousity was killing me, lol...

[miowntime]

I LOVE this forum!!! Thanks scy and camille!! Your post is so positive Paul! I'm gonna try to grow the one den that I've got in the brightest spot in my brightest window once I remove my screens.

Also, apparently a friend I was complaining to about my dilema (that I'm spending hundreds on staired humidity trays, orchid pots, and orchids but am too cheap to buy a light meter) so he downloaded an app onto his ipad to try and help me gauge the light. So, flawed or not I should at least have a reading...

I'm so grateful to have you all to count on!

Oh, BTW I'm getting a new leaf on an orchid I've had for 8 months!!! I've gotten a few new buds on stuff but I know some chids will flower till they drop. This is a new, very positive sign that my chids are lovin the environment I've set up for `em.
Sooo encouraging!!!

Happy Orchid growing!!!

Beth

[Paul Mc]

Congratulations on your new leaf! It's always a good feeling when you see new leaves or roots.

Since you're new here, I will tell you that the community thrives on helping. Any questions you have we will try and answer for you based on our own experiences and knowledge.

[scy]

You're very welcome! Paul's right. Everyone here is super helpful. Congratulations on your new leaf! *cheer*

Susan

[stefpix]

I think too much importance is given to the orientation of the window.

What matters a lot is also how large / wide the window is.
Also I had to photograph a 5 story building that was being gutted and renovated. I did notice that the top 2 floors were a lot brighter than the bottom floors. And the exposure of the photographs reflected that. The buildings across the street were not very tall.

Also I have southern windows but in the summer the sun is too high in the sky and the light does not penetrate well into the room. At that time of the year I get a lot more light in my eastern exposure kitchen window.

I think the orientation gives a general idea, and a north window is insufficient most times, but a southern window may be a lot of light for some and insufficient for others...

[Paul Mc]

That is a very good point Stefano.