I'm branching out from phals

[Optimist]

lighting may be a problem if you intend to grow "only" indoors. There is a great thread in the dendrobium forum about the different "families" of dends. I have an antelope type, a biggibum, and a Nobile, and only the Nobile loses its leaves.

I know the joy that an orchid person feels when they know that they got one type down and they are ready to move on to the next phase. I've done the phals, the dents, the catts, the oncidiums, and now I am doing the phaphiopedilums, bulbophylums and masdevallias.

[Mtownbootgirl]

I'm thinking lighting will be a problem too. Spring and summer should be fine, I can even put them outside in summer. But our fall and winter is so cloudy and dim. I guess I'll see how they do this winter and try to improve next winter. If they make it that long...😳


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Leafmite]

I think you should be fine with the two Latouria. After failing the first time with the Latouria, when I ordered a new Microchip, I asked for some advice at my Orchid Society and was told to treat the Microchip like a Phal...warm, bright shade, and moist. Indeed, the replacement Microchip is really thriving in the same conditions as my two Phals.
Good luck with the new orchids!

PS. Ohio has gloomy winters, too. :|

[estación seca]

You can usually get a decent light setup for less money than replacing three nice Dendrobiums.

I would definitely get the lights rather than risk killing my new plants during a long, cold, dark, depressing winter when I needed something to keep me cheered up. If initial cost is the main issue, get either:
- one or two clamp-on shop lights that accept standard-base bulbs, and use the highest wattage 6500K CFL bulbs you can find online; or,
- a 4-foot standard shop fluorescent fixture, and 2 6500K CFL tubes at the highest wattage you can find online.

If long-term cost is more important to you, get an LED setup, which is more expensive at first but uses much less electricity. Go to a nearby hydroponics shop for advice.

[Mtownbootgirl]

Cost isn't a huge issue with lighting...I was just hoping I could get by without it. I have never used lights so I don't know what I'm doing....at all. Guess I'll start reading up on it and get the smallest set up I can. We've had 2 days with sun in the last 10 days 😞. And I don't know how long it will last. Last year was pretty mild with clouds and rain, I think it was pretty bright from January on, compared to normal. But I guess I should go off our normal weather. Even my lower light plants sulk when we have a long cloudy winter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mtownbootgirl]

Would one or two of these 32 W Dayspot fluorescents work? I'm so lost when it comes to lighting.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[estación seca]

That will work.

So will this
Feit-Electric-150W-Equivalent-Daylight-6500K-Spiral-CFL-Light-Bulb-$9.90-Ship-To-Store-Free

plus this
HDX-75-Watt-Incandescent-Clamp-Light-$6.97-Pick-Up-In-Store-Today-Free

HD will also have a timer in stock, which you will probably want to use.

[Mtownbootgirl]

Leafmite do you use lights? I was going for Phal like conditions when I was looking at my orchid shop. I didn't get to talk to the owner but I did read tags and focused on the ones growing close to the phals in his greenhouse. The ones that like the warmer temps and medium rather than high light.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mtownbootgirl]

Oh nice estacion seca! Thank you!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Leafmite]

Last year, I started growing most of my orchids under four foot, four light fixtures because I ran out of window space. This year, I added a 2ft, 2 light fixture for my gardenias and gradually added more plants. I have one of those Dayspot lights. I grew in the window, only, for many years. I just have too many plants.

I do have a Dayspot lamp and works well if it is close to the plants. If you have a bunch of plants you want to put under lights (or are thinking of expanding your collection), you probably want to go with a larger fixture.