Building light boxes for Phals

[RachaelTalcott]

Last summer I visited these fora determined to finally figure out how not to kill orchids, and realized that the main thing I was doing wrong was light level (too much or too little, depending on which window they were near). So I downloaded a light meter app (whitegoods lightmeter), and designed and build boxes that would supply an appropriate amount of light (about 1500 lux, coming from 5 spiral fluorescent bulbs in the large box, two in the smaller box).

The larger box is build for mini phals, and the smaller oak box was a gift for a friend and has micro phals (only about 5 inches from leaf to top of flower spike, so the box can be shorter and therefore give the leaves more light)

I've since rescued many post-bloom orchids from the 99 cent bin at the grocery store. The fun of this is that you never know until they rebloom (and they do!) what they flowers will look like.

So thanks to the forum members for the information. It appears to be working.

RT

[Cntry]

Your box is just beautiful. I really love it. YOUR friend should go into business making them. I bet you could sell them with no problems.

[wintergirl]

Welcome to Orchidboard, nice set up with healthy looking rescues.

[Nexogen]

However, not only the light is essential. In pots I see a lot of water, air, not too...

[RachaelTalcott]

Cntry: Thanks! I thought about making them to sell, but I don't have a lot of extra time right now.

Wintergirl: Thanks!

Nexogen: Yes, I realize that, but the one thing that I was doing wrong before was light.

[BigGreenLeaf]

I'm very jealous of your set up, those plants look wonderful!